Homocysteine - we should all know our level of
[UPDATED MARCH 2024]
The Biochemistry of the Homocysteine Theory
A raised homocysteine is a major risk factor for arterial disease. Homocysteine is an essential protein which is part of the methylation cycle - see CFS - The Methylation Cycle. This is an essential tool kit that allows one to methylate! There are three B vitamins essential to allow the methylation cycle to work namely vitamin B12, B6 and folic acid. These B vitamins are nearly always low in people eating Western diets who are not taking supplements. More reasons for Nutritional Supplements - what everybody should be taking all the time even if nothing is wrong
High homocysteine runs in families
If there is a strong family history of arteriosclerosis, then homocysteine screening should be done, especially if there is no obvious other reason. If one family member is affected, first degree relatives should also be screened.
Why high homocysteine damages arteries
Essentially it amplifies the repair process of damage in a way that causes even more problems! The build up of homocysteine causes the formation of homocysteine thiolactone made from methionine in the liver by an enzyme that participates in protein formation and other processes. This build up of homocysteine thiolactone causes low density lipoprotein to become aggregated. Thus LDL homocysteine thiolactone aggregates are released from the blood into the liver and are taken up by the macrophages of the artery walls to form the foam cells that are seen in early arteriosclerotic plaques. These foam cells then degrade the aggregates mentioned and release fat and cholesterol into the developing plaques. The foam cells also release homocysteine thiolactone into surrounding cells of the artery walls affecting the way that cells handle oxygen. As a result highly reactive oxygen radicals accumulate within cells damaging the lining cells of arteries, promoting blood clot formation and stimulating the growth of arterial muscle cells which form fibrous tissue, a mucoid matrix and degenerative elastic tissue.
Home Test Kits
Foodforthebrain.org has developed the following home test blood pinprick kits, available in the UK, USA, EU, and to a certain extent globally:
- an accurate homocysteine home test kit
- a DRIfT 4-1 (omega-3 index, vitamin D, HbA1c, Homocysteine) home test kit
DRIfT stands for Dementia Risk Index functional test. The vision here is to compare and develop a biological index that predicts cognitive function/decline.
Book your test at Foodforthebrain.org
Please click here to read about the Foodforthebrain Test Validation Studies
Please also see this study Homocysteine – from disease biomarker to disease prevention -PDF by David Smith and Helga Refsum showing homocysteine to be a biomarker for 100 diseases - and causative for some.
Also see Press Release - the home test that may prevent mental illness which references 9 supporting studies
If interested, please also read Press Release re DRIfT
Related Articles
- CFS - The Methylation Cycle
- Nutritional Supplements - what everybody should be taking all the time even if nothing is wrong
Related Test
External Links
- Foodforthebrain.org
- Foodforthebrain Test Validation Studies
- Homocysteine – from disease biomarker to disease prevention -PDF
- Press Release re DRIfT
- Press Release - the home test that may prevent mental illness
Sarah Myhill Limited :: Registered in England and Wales :: Registration No. 4545198
Registered Office: Upper Weston, Llangunllo, Knighton, Powys, Wales LD7 1SL, UK.
Tel 01547 550331 | Fax 01547 550339
