Amino Acid - Homocysteine

Homocysteine is an amino acid, produced as a by-product of consuming meat. It is important that the levels of this amino acid be monitored, due to the fact that raised levels have been associated with atherosclerosis, which is a narrowing of the arteries. Raised levels of homocysteine also increase the risk of strokes, blood clots forming, heart attacks and maybe Alzheimer’s disease.

Symptoms of Raised Homocysteine Levels

Raised levels of homocysteine is believed to cause narrowing and hardening of the arteries. This condition (atherosclerosis) causes blood vessels to narrow, and therefore the blood flow diminishes through the arteries that have been affected. Increased levels of homocysteine can also increase the likelihood of blood clotting, which would also diminish the flow of blood through arteries. It is this reduced blood flow which in turn causes heart attacks or strokes.

Taking Vitamins to Lower Homocysteine Levels

There are certain recommended vitamins for lowering levels of the homocysteine amino acid. The daily dosage includes folate, B vitamins and multivitamins. Vitamin products will state the recommended dosage on the package – usually 1 milligram per day for folate, 10 milligrams per day for B6 and half a milligram per day for B12.

Taking these vitamins is usually successful in helping to lower homocysteine levels, though there is no concrete proof that taking these vitamins will lower the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Studies, however, have suggested a link. For example, women who had high levels of folic acid (in the form of multivitamins) had fewer heart attacks than those who had consumed the least amount of folic acid.