by Joseph F. McCaffrey
You may not have heard of homocysteine, but you should. In this case, what you don’t know might kill you.
In 1968 Dr. Klimer McCully, then at Harvard, proposed that homocysteine might be a risk factor for vascular disease and was promptly ridiculed by the powers that be. Dr. McCully was essentially exiled into academic oblivion. His vindication didn’t come in time to save his career, but it has come.
High homocysteine levels are now definitely associated with both heart attacks and stroke. They also are associated with diseases of the kidney, liver and eye, along with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and depression.
Without going into too much detail, homocysteine is an amino acid that is produced as a byproduct of an important metabolic pathway. Like many metabolic pathways, it’s a continuous cycle.
Homocysteine is produced as a by-product of the methione cycle. Normally, metabolic pathways convert it back into harmless compounds. Then the cycle begins again. If that doesn’t happen, problems begin.
For one thing, elevated homocysteine levels directly attack the lining of blood vessels. Dr. McCully ran afoul of the medical establishment when he noticed that children who died of a rare metabolic disease associated with elevated homocysteine levels had blood vessels that under the microscope looked like those of old folks who died of heart disease.
Fortunately, most of us can readily get homocysteine under control. Two of the major pathways for metabolizing it depend on adequate vitamin levels. Specifically, folic acid, B6 and B12 are crucial for the successful metabolism of homocysteine.
Assuring an adequate dietary intake of these nutrients goes a long way toward normalizing homocysteine levels. For many of us, supplements provide additional benefit.
Homocysteine levels can be measured. Some forward thinking physicians routinely check levels for their patients. If your physician doesn’t, you should request this blood test. Although levels up to 15 umol/L are generally accepted as normal, aim for levels of 8 umol/L or less.
This article appears courtesy of Early to Rise's Total Health Breakthroughs, offering alternative solutions for mind, body and soul. For a complimentary subscription, visit http://www.totalhealthbreakthroughs.com/
[Ed. Note: Dr. Joseph McCaffrey is a board-certified surgeon with extensive experience in alternative medicine, including certification as a HeartMath Trainer. His areas of expertise include mind-body interaction and cognitive restructuring. Dr. McCaffrey strives to help people attain their optimum level of vitality through attention to all aspects of wellness. For more information, click here.]