Homocysteine Extending your lifespan
“A little ignorance in your blood report can turn a boon into a curse tomorrow“.
Homocysteine is an amino acid produced by our body by breaking down dietary proteins. A balanced amount of homocysteine is broken by vitamin B12, vitamin B6 and folic acids to provide our body with the basic substances needed for growth and development. On the other hand, the increased homocysteine level can cause serious cardiovascular and another disease
What are the root causes of high homocysteine in a body?
- Poor diet and lifestyle, excessive alcoholism, smoking
- Ageing, poor B vitamins absorption, low B12 for case of vegans/vegetarians
- Genetic predisposition like MTHFR gene mutations
- GUT dysbiosis, autoimmune gastritis, heavy wheat consumption
- Disease like R.A, IBD, Diabetes, thyroid issue
- H. Pylori stomach infection
- People suffering from extensive stress.
The symptoms of high homocysteine:
- Weakness, fatigue
- Numbness, tingling in legs, arms, or other body parts
- Pale skin or sores on mouth and tongue
- Physical pain because of R.A, muscle aches or migraines
- Sleep issue
- Depression
- Difficult to keep stable weight
- Pregnancy complications
- Erectile dysfunction
- Hearing or vision loss
The other dangerous signs of high homocysteine:
- Weaker bones, osteoporosis
- Parkinson’s/Alzheimer’s disease
- Dementia
- High blood pressure
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Heart attack
- Cancer
- Renal disease
- Blood clots
- Epilepsy
The health benefits of optimal homocysteine level:
- Healthy liver
- Increase energy
- Improved mood, memory, and mental clarity
- Deep sleep
- Reduction in R.A/Osteoporosis pain, decrease inflammation
- Detoxification enhances thereby slow down ageing
- Reduction in risk of cardiovascular disease (strokes), cancer, Alzheimer’s etc
- Strong Immune system
- Keep your hormones in balance
What are the tests to detect the increased amount of homocysteine?
- Serum or plasma Homocysteine (Hcy), overnight fasting (12 hours) is needed
- Serum B12 (can help if high Hcy is because of B12 deficiency)
Optimal range: 0 to 6 µmol/L (Moderate risk : 7-10, Severe risk : > 10)
Can be re-tested every 3 or 6 months to see how you are moving towards healthy range.
Important to check Lipoprotein(a) along the homocysteine level in blood test to find out the high risk associated with cardio vascular disease.
How to again balance out the level of homocysteine?
The most important supplements that can lower the homocysteine levels are vitamin B12, vitamin B6, vitamin B9 and probably vitamin B2, zinc, cobalt, TMG, NAC.
- Supplementation having active form of B12, B6, B9 and probably B2, zinc, cobalt, magnesium, omega-3
- Intermittent fasting
- Physical activity
- Low carbohydrate diet and ketogenic diet
- Food rich in various vitamin B like B12, B9, B6 and B2 (Active methylate form)
- Multi-strain probiotic
- Correcting thyroid disorder if any
- Stress management
Supplementation guidelines:
Kindly check with your medical practitioner for dosage on supplementation for case if various B vitamins are on lower lab range.
