High Homocysteine Levels Predict Heart Attacks: B12 will Lower Homocysteine

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http://www.naturalnews.com/028236_homocysteine_vitamin_B12.htmlResearch has shown that high levels of homocysteine in the blood can

predict who will suffer a heart attack. High levels of homocysteine

prevent dilation of blood vessels. Research showed that homocysteine

levels were a better indicator of heart attacks and strokes than high

cholesterol levels. The research on the amino acid homocysteine and

heart disease is over ten years old. Following men with heart problems

for six years, Norwegian researchers found that the higher the

homocysteine levels, the greater the risk of death following a heart

attack. Another study showed that the risk of a fatal heart attack

increased four-fold in those with high homocysteine levels in the

blood. Several nutrients have been shown to lower blood homocysteine

and the associated risks.The risk factor for other diseases

also increases with elevated levels of homocysteine. Diseases such as

gout, rheumatism, cancer, leukemia, kidney disease, lupus, and even

depression, go up as the homocysteine levels rise. Some doctors suggest

a link between homocysteine and the thyroid gland as a link to these

non-vascular disease states.A healthy level of homocysteine in

the blood is below 15 micro mol/liter, but some doctors recommend

levels below 7. A simple blood test can be used for diagnosis.Nutrients

that reduce homocysteine are B12, B9 (folic acid), B2 (riboflavin), and

B6. These nutrients act through various chemical pathways to break down

homocysteine in the blood. Adding zinc and Tri-methyl Glycine (TMG) to

the diet is also recommended. Physical exercise will decrease

homocysteine levels, as will losing weight and reducing stress. A

vegetarian diet reduces homocysteine levels as well.Smoking and

drinking alcohol will increase the levels of blood homocysteine as

well, along with estrogen deficiency and use of some pharmaceutical

drugs, such as steroids. Coffee and tea also cause an increase.Some

people are genetically prone to elevated homocysteine levels, but by

changing the diet, reducing alcohol consumption, increasing exercise

and adding B vitamins, homocysteine levels can be lowered, and the risk

of heart disease, stroke, and other chronic conditions can be

eliminated.