Homocysteine

Homocysteine racemic

Homocysteine is a amino acid in the blood. Epidemiological studies have shown that too much homocysteine in the blood (plasma) is related to a higher risk of coronary heart disease, stroke and other diseases.

Overview

Homocysteine is a common amino acid in your blood. You get it mostly from eating meat. High levels of it are linked to early development of heart disease.

In fact, a high level of homocysteine is a risk factor for heart disease. It's associated with low levels of vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and folate, as well as renal disease.

Causes

The level of homocysteine in the blood is influenced by your genes and by your diet. For example, eating a lot of animal protein can raise your homocysteine levels. So can having a deficiency in certain B vitamins.

Health Risks

High levels of homocysteine in the blood can damage the lining of the arteries. They can also make blood clot more easily than it should. This can increase the risk of blood vessel blockages.

A high homocysteine level is also a risk factor for heart attack and stroke. It's also associated with Alzheimer's disease.

Treatment

Treatment for high homocysteine levels involves taking B vitamins and folic acid. These can help to lower the level of homocysteine in the blood.

See Also

• Amino acid
• Coronary heart disease
• Stroke
• Vitamin B6
• Vitamin B12
• Folate
• Renal disease
• Blood vessel blockages
• Heart attack
• Alzheimer's disease
• B vitamins
• Folic acid