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Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in the U.S. and one of the first symptoms of a heart attack is death. In this podcast we talk about one of the silent killers: Homocysteine. Excess homocysteine has become one of the leading risk factors for heart disease. According to Challem & Dolby (1996) 40% of all heart attacks and strokes are attributed to elevated levels of homocysteine.

What are normal levels of plasma concentrations? (These are the values you get on lab testing) 4.9 – 11.7 micromoles/liter

As you can see in this diagram, in order for your body to properly metabolize Homocysteine, there needs to be an adequate supply of the following vitamins & “co-factors”:

• Folate
• Vitamin B12
• Vitamin B6
• Trimethylglycine
• Dimethylglycine
• Niacinamide (Vitamin B3)
• Vitamin E
• Molybdenum
• Essential Co-factors: Zinc, Selenium, Magnesium

The average American diet is highly deficient in the optimal amounts of these vitamins and minerals to effectively help the properly metabolize homocysteine.

Excess homocysteine generates free radicals and causes the oxidation of LDL cholesterol. Homocysteine also injures the inner walls of the arteries causing micro “nicks.” Oxidized LDL cholesterol is the major contributor to plaque formation in the arteries. These plaque formations occur as a result of the nicks formed on the inner walls of the arteries. (Sort of like your body’s own Band-aid).

The cholesterol based plaque formation leads to atherosclerosis which will eventually lead to cardiovascular disease.

Action steps to Wellness:

Decrease your intake of Red Meats (don’t cut it out totally, because you need at least 6-9 oz of red meat per week). But red meats are one of the richest sources of methionine, which is the precursor to homocysteine.

Supplement your diet with the vitamins and minerals that help to metabolize excess homocysteine. I highly recommend a good multivitamin (email me for my recommendations)

Listen to the podcast