elevations of homocysteine can lead to poor cardiovascular health and cognitive declines

[deepdiver]

Homocysteine, as many of you know, is an amino acid produced in the body as part of normal metabolism. It has been theorized that elevations of homocysteine can lead to poor cardiovascular health and cognitive declines. The data, however, has been somewhat conflicting.

There have been a few recent articles in the medical literature which shed some new light on the subject. In the April 2009 edition of the journal Stroke, researchers from Canada reported on a double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial known as the Heart Outcomes Prevention Evaluation 2 (HOPE 2) trial1. A total of 5,522 adults with known poor cardiovascular health were randomized to receive either a combination of 2.5 mg of folic acid, 50 mg B6 and 1 mg of B12 daily or placebo for a total of five years. By the end of the study, a total of 258 individuals had suffered from poor neurological health. Homocysteine levels decreased an average of 2.2 in the vitamin group, compared to a 0.8 increase in the placebo group. Those in the vitamin group did reduce the risk of poor neurological health, compared to the placebo group, by about 25%.

A smaller, independent study2 conducted in Poland examined the effects of poor neurological health and homocysteine levels and was published in the April 2009 edition of Clinical Biochemistry. It was found in the study that elevated homocysteine levels were significant independent risk factors in the development of poor neurological health.

The American Journal of Cardiology published an interesting study3 in its April 1, 2009 issue regarding plasma homocysteine levels. The aim of the study was to determine the association between homocysteine and the stiffness of arterial walls in a group of young adults who had no symptoms of poor cerebral or cardiovascular health. The researchers found that elevated homocysteine levels were independent risk factors for the development of arterial stiffness in both black and white young adults who had no symptoms. They further noted that this may be a potential marker for poor cardiovascular health within this age group.

Another great study I'd like to share with your appears in the May 2009 edition of Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology. This study centers on eye circulation and homocysteine levels. A total of 85 individuals who developed a lack of blood flow to the eye were evaluated and compared to 107 age- and gender-matched healthy controls. After controlling for other factors, the researchers noted that elevated plasma homocysteine levels, along with low vitamin B6 levels, may increase the risk of developing this impaired blood flow to the eye which can lead to visual loss.

While continuing focus on homocysteine, but switching gears somewhat, I've come across an article5 in the May 2009 edition of Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics regarding poor cognitive health. A search in the medical literature was conducted, through which several studies were selected. It was found that elevations of homocysteine seemed to be common in individuals who experienced progressive poor cognitive health, compared to control groups. They were not able to state, however, whether lowering these elevated homocysteine levels could reduce the incidence or severity of poor cognitive health.

Finally, I would like to cite an article published in the April 2009 issue of Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics. A group of 65 individuals suffering from poor colon function, ages 45 to 64 years old, who were on a strict gluten-free diet for several years were randomized to receive 800 mcg of folic acid, along 3 mg of vitamin B6 and 500 mcg of B12 or placebo for six months. A total of 57 patients completed the trial. It was found that homocysteine levels dropped an average of 34% during this study in the vitamin group. Accompanying this was a significant improvement in overall mood and well being.

[dax0007]

Hey atleast the MD of this forum did not recommend anyone to buy their book at amazon like they did me:o)...

[dax0007]

Hello, Sassy /Paxiled, Could u pllease give me some advice on my situation?
To give u a brief history of me:36yo,male, 5'10,210lb,fairshape, NEVER SMOKED/drugs,&rarely drink. Family hist- Grandfather had stroke in70's.My parents r in their 60's no issus.
I recently had a cardio work up b/c I was inbest health in years(wanted to get best rate on Life Ins). I followed a diet  called "Heart healthy revolution" which focus on B vits & DASH diet.my weight dropped from 240 to 210& I felt much better.Prior to this diet my cholest(total 230) and BP was low boarderline.I was so happy with my weight loss& how i felt I decidedto get all MY BLOOD WORK COMPLETED.This is what it showed:
Cholestrol: HDL52 - LDL 101 an TOTAL was around 170's
TRIS- 105
SUGAR WAS GREAT(CANT REMEBER)
C-REACTIVE CRP - .3 (yes VERY LOW UNDER 1)
homocysteine -  THIS WAS THE SHOCKER  21.0  (I ALMOST FEEL OVER)
BLOOD PRES AVE 120/70
EVERYTHING ELSE WAS FINE ON MY BLOOD WORK

Well I did not let my HIGH homocysteine put me down! I decided to go out and BUY 150$ worth of homocysteine reducing supplements(B vitamens, TMG, Chorine- everything would be 1000% of DV), but then I thought to myself wait WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT B VITAMEN BLOOD LEVELS before u take 1000's to 5000% HIGH THAN DAILY AMOUNTS

So I decided to have VIT BLOOD LEVELS check & I was shocked because my BLOOD LEVELS were HIGH
B12- 500-700(cant remember)
B6- 70's VERY HIGH(almost toxic)
Folate- >26(VERY HIGH)
everything else mag,zinx, iodine- were fine..
So now I was at a loss.. My CARDIO Doctor said "Dont stress about it and DONT TAKE HIGH AMOUNTS OF FOLATE b/c it has been shown to be bad for your HEART.. He said keep eating healthy and exercise. He said more than likely u have the ?MUT? something GENE and even if u lower your homocystein levels it may not lower ur risk.I AM stressed about this. Should I get 2nd opinion?  Am I doomed?  
THANKS.

[Paxiled]

Absolutely.  The homocysteine formula is usually B6, folate, and B12, not just folate.  Some also include DMG or TMG.  But I like to tease Deep, and now it looks like he's been kicked off the board.  You can't send him a not or message.  Maybe he's posting too much.  

[Paxiled]

By the way, is it true Deep has been banned?  What will we do without him?

[Paxiled]

Hey, the woman takes care of me!  I'm pretty useless these days!

[SassyLassie]

I agree that the "B" Vitamins are important for healthy homocysteine levels, it has been proven on me. However, I still think that a person needs to take any vitamin or mineral in the proper balance, taking too much of one thing is NOT healthy.

I do not think that taking massive amounts of folate will keep us from having heart disease, lots of other things go with it, and I think it should be taken with the proper amount of B-12 and the rest of the "B" family.

There is no "magic bullet" for any disease, wish there were.

Hey Paxiled, don't die now, you are needed here on the forums, we appreciate your help.

[Paxiled]

So what you're saying is, if we take lots of folate, we won't die of heart disease, but we will die of prostate or colon cancer.  Maybe I should just die now.