High Homocysteine Levels Are No Good
Heart attack
Homocysteine is a substance our body needs to produce certain compounds vital for our organs to function properly. but high homocysteine levels in the blood are no good news.
To produce homocysteine, our bodies need adequate amounts of vitamin B6, B12, and folic acid. When any of these vitamins is lacking, homocysteine is not converted into the necessary compounds and spills into the circulation.
Many studies have shown that when homocysteine accumulates in our system, it becomes toxic even in small amounts, increasing the risk of heart disease. high levels of homocysteine concentrations in our blood may cause a heart attack or a stroke even among people who have normal cholesterol levels.
How homocysteine cause heart attacks?
abnormal levels of homocysteine appear to:
1. Damage the inner lining of the arteries
2. Promote blood clots
3. Oxidize LDL cholesterol
How do you prevent homocysteine from accumulating in your blood?
Eat foods that contain folate (folic acid) as well as vitamins B6 and B12. Legumes are an excellent source of folate and contain moderate amounts of B6. Recent data show that the practice of fortifying foods with folate has reduced homocysteine levels in the U.S. population.
Have a healthy day.
Emilia Klapp, RD, BS
www.TheDiabetesClub.com
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