Homocysteine
from "Rust Out" by Dr Bailey page 73
Your Risk
Approximately 35% of heart attacks occur in people with normal total cholesterol levels. Researchers have found that a high level of an essential intermediate amino acid, called homocysteine, may be to blame.
Homocysteine And Protein Intake
Your body forms homocysteine when you eat food that contains the amino acid methionine. Methionine is present in all animal and vegetable protein. But too much homocysteine literally shreds your arteries from the inside out, allowing fat and cholesterol to stick to the walls of your blood vessels. Our blood level of homocysteine is more accurate than your cholesterol number in predicting the risk of a heart attack, stroke or Alzheimer’s disease.
How is it Bad?
Thirty years of research has shown that excess homocysteine disables a mechanism in your arterial cells called contact inhibition. Contact inhibition regulates the growth of the smooth muscle cells just below the endothelium (inner wall) of your arteries. Thus, smooth muscle cells multiply out of control, creating a bulge that pushes other layers of the vessel wall apart and causes protrusions into the artery. The endothelium then becomes uneven, raw and rough; allowing the build up of plaque (arteriosclerosis) to begin, by promoting (bad) LDL oxidation.
High Homocysteine Levels = High Death Rate
A 1992 Harvard study of 15,000 physicians showed the highest 5% of homocysteine readings had a three-fold-plus increase risk of heart attacks. Homocysteine also makes your blood stickier and interferes with your blood vessels’ natural ability to relax. Your homocyteine level also helps predict how fast you will age, your B vitamin-nutritional status, your immune-system function, and the state of your brain. It also helps show how well your body’s chemistry can roll with life’s stresses.
In comparison with cholesterol levels, a 5 mm/l (micromoles per liter) increase in homocysteine level was equal to 20 mg/l increase in your cholesterol number. Homocysteine levels should be less than 9 mm/l.
The Three "B’s" for Vascular Health
Your body requires a steady supply of three particular "helper nutrients," to process, convert and excrete excess homocysteine. Vitamins B6, B12 and folic acid are key to reducing and normalizing homocysteine levels. These B vitamins help convert homocysteine into harmless cystathione and methionine. Folic acid is the most important B vitamin in controlling your homocysteine levels. There are over 800 studies demonstrating folic acids’ benefit in fighting homocysteine.
We Don’t Get Enough of Our "B" Vitamins
The typical American diet is very low in these three nutrients and they are usually in shorter supply, from our own dietary indiscretions due to the loss of our taste buds, as we get older. Heat, dehydration and food processing destroys B6 (Pyridoxine) and B12 (cobalamin). Our soil is also depleted of much of its minerals and nutrient valve. It is recommended for patients with: atherosclerosis but no traditional risk factors, premature vascular disease, unexplained recurrent deep vein thrombosis (clots in your legs), a high risk of worsening vascular disease, chronic renal failure or an organ transplant and in smokers and those that us alcohol.
Who Needs B Vitamins?
B vitamins are necessary for normal metabolic functions and conversion of carbohydrate, protein and fat into tissue and energy. B vitamins are water-soluble and are not significantly stored in your body. B vitamins need regular replacement. Conditions that deplete B vitamins include: stomach and intestinal disorders, chronic alcoholism, fever conditions, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, pregnancy, after severe burns or recovery from surgery.
Aviod Supplements if You Just had a Coronary Stent Placed
Avoid "B" supplements if you have just had a coronary stent placed. The stent has been shown to close down faster when people were taking B6, B12 and folic acid vitamins, but not when eating foods high in "B" vitamins. At this time I don’t know the reason. We have also found that beta carotene and alpha vitamin E caps have not helped people either; whereas, the food sources of beta carotene and vitamin E do help prevent disease.
The Best Sources of "B" Vitamins
All nine of the "B" vitamins* are found in citrus fruits, spinach, asparagus, broccoli, Brussel sprouts and fresh leafy green veggies. Blueberries are one of the highest sources of folic acid. You need at least nine servings a day if your homocysteine levels are high. Remember, high levels of folic acid can mask a B12 deficiency.
*Thiamine B1, riboflavin B2, niacin B3, pyridoxine B6, biotin, inositol, p-aminobenzoic acid PABA, cyanocobalamine B12, and folic acid.
References:
Harvard Study, JAMA, 1992; Vol.268, 877-881.
Braly,J., "The "H" Factor Solution," GNCBooks.com, 2003.
Homocysteine, Prevention.com, "Heart Tests," 2002.
Walsh,M.,N., "Diet And Homocysteine: Beyond Folate,"Heart Watch, May 2001; 1-2.
"Homocysteine," Pan American Lab, Inc, Covington, LA, 70433; 2001.
"Folic Acid And Stents Don’t Mix,"Cardiology News, Aug 2003:16.
