Supplements

Homocysteine

Homocysteine is an amino acid that is produced in the body in the course of methionine metabolism. High levels of homocysteine in the blood are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Homocysteine has a toxic effect on the cells lining the arteries, makes the blood more prone to clotting, and promotes the oxidation of low-density lipoproteins (LDL, or bad cholesterol), which makes it more likely that cholesterol will be deposited as plaque in the blood vessels.

Although homocysteine does perform a necessary function in the body, it is quickly broken down into the amino acid cysteine and other important compounds, including adenosine triphosphate (ATP, an important source of cellular energy) and S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe).

A deficiency of vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and folate, or a genetic defect, can prevent homocysteine from converting rapidly enough. As a result, high levels of the amino acid accumulate in the body, damaging cell membranes and blood vessels, and raise the risk of heart disease.

Supplemental vitamins B6, B12, and folate help to break down the homocysteine, and thus help protect against heart disease.