Homosysteine

When thinking of causes for cardiovascular disease, most people tend to focus on things such as diet, exercise, or even tobacco use. Nevertheless, recent studies have shown a new potential risk called homocysteine. An amino-acid found in the body, these studies have shown that elevated levels of homocysteine in the blood is directly connected to a number of heart diseases and stroke.

What Is Homocysteine?
Homocysteine is a substance produced by the body as it digests protein. It is an important amino-acid that is used to maintain and build tissue. Unfortunately, excessive levels of the substance can be destructive to the heart. Recent studies have actually shown high levels of homocysteine to be the cause of almost ten percent of all heart attacks.

High levels of homocysteine are considered to be an independent cause of heart disease, in that they are not connected to other traditional causes (such as high blood pressure, for example). Normally, the body destroys excessive levels of homocysteine. Thanks to certain vitamins, the liver actually transforms the excess into a substance that can be flushed through our system. A lack of these vitamins, in addition to potentially defective enzymes, are typically to blame for the condition.

Nutritional supplements can play a powerful role in combating high levels of homocysteine. Trimethylglycine (TMG), Vitamins B6, B12 and Folic acid are the central supplements that are helpful.