Homocysteine
Overview
Homocysteine is a toxic , amino acid not used in protein synthesis, but is part of methionine metabolism. Hyperhomocysteinemia is a term denoting excessive serum homocysteine. The amount of homocysteine in your blood is one of the best indicators of how healthy you are.
Prevalence of Hyperhomocysteinemia [1]
30% of elderly persons, both male and female, have elevated homocysteine levels.
29% of Vegetarians have elevated homocysteine levels.
This occurs from the relative lack of Methionine and Vitamin B12 in the diets of vegetarians.
5% of omnivores are found to have elevated homocysteine levels.
13% to 47% or more of symptomatic Atherosclerosis patients have elevated homocysteine levels.
Toxic Effects of Excess Homocysteine
Aging Process
Homocysteine may accelerate the shortening of Telomeres and therefore accelerate the progression of the Aging Process. [2]
Cardiovascular System
Excessive homocysteine may cause abnormal Blood Clotting by inhibiting the production of Tissue Plasminogen Activator. [3]
Excessive homocysteine levels correlates with the occurrence of Cardiovascular Diseases more closely than Cholesterol: [4]
Elevated Homocysteine levels may cause Aneurysm.
Elevated Homocysteine may cause Atherosclerosis. [5]
Homocysteine may facilitate the deposition of Cholesterol around the heart muscle.
Intermittent Claudication [6]
Elevated Homocysteine levels may increase the risk of Ischemic Heart Disease [7] including Angina [8]
Excessive Homocysteine levels may increase the risk of Heart Attack It has been estimated that approximately 40% of all heart attacks are caused by elevated homocysteine levels. [9]
Thrombosis, including Deep Vein Thrombosis. [10]
Excessive homocysteine levels may be a primary underlying cause of many Cerebrovascular Diseases: [11]
Excessive Homocysteine levels may cause Stroke It has been estimated that approximately 40% of all Strokes are caused by elevated homocysteine levels. [12]
Elevated homocysteine levels may increase the risk of Preeclampsia. [13]
Elevated homocysteine levels may increase the risk of Raynaud’s Disease. [14]
Elevated homocysteine levels may be an underlying cause of Sickle-Cell Anemia
Sickle-Cell Anemia patients have been found to have significantly higher homocysteine levels compared with normal, healthy persons. [15]
Cells
Homocysteine accelerates the shortening of Telomeres. [16]
Digestive System
Homocysteine may cause/exacerbate Crohn’s Disease. [17]
Homocysteine may cause/exacerbate Ulcerative Colitis. [18]
Ears/Hearing
Elevated homocysteine levels are speculated to be an underlying cause of Age-Related Hearing Loss. [19]
Excretory System
Excessive accumulation of homocysteine may cause Kidney Stones.
Eyes/Vision
Elevated homocysteine levels may contribute to the development of Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD). [20]
Elevated homocysteine levels may contribute to the development of diabetic Retinopathy. [21]
Immune System
Elevated homocysteine levels may increase the risk of some types of Cancer: [22]
Elevated homocysteine levels may increase the risk of Breast Cancer. [23]
Elevated homocysteine levels may increase the risk of Cervical Cancer. [24]
Metabolism
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) patients are often found to have elevated homocysteine levels suggesting that elevated homocysteine may be a possible underlying cause of CFS. [25]
Homocysteine may cause Insulin Resistance. [26]
Homocysteine may stimulate the oxidation of LDL Cholesterol. [27]
Elevated homocysteine levels may cause Liver damage. [28]
Homocysteine may stimulate the generation of Peroxynitrite Free Radicals. [29]
Homocysteine may stimulate the generation of Superoxide Free Radicals.
Musculoskeletal System
Fibromyalgia patients are often found to have elevated homocysteine levels suggesting that elevated homocysteine may be a possible underlying cause of Fibromyalgia. [30]
Elevated homocysteine levels may be an underlying cause of Osteoporosis.
Homocysteine interferes with optimal Collagen Cross-linking, resulting in impaired structure of the Bone matrix. [31]
Elevated homocysteine levels may be an underlying cause of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid Arthritis patients have homocysteine levels that are (on average) 20% - 33% higher than healthy persons. [32]
Nervous System
Elevated homocysteine levels may cause Aggressiveness. [33]
Elevated homocysteine levels may be an underlying cause of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). [34]
Elevated homocysteine levels may contribute to the symptoms of Autism. Autism patients have been shown to have high homocysteine levels. [35]
Elevated homocysteine may cause Dementia in the elderly and in AIDS patients: [36]
Elevated homocysteine may contribute to the onset and progression of Alzheimer’s Disease. [37]
Elevated homocysteine may cause Multiple-Infarct Dementia. [38]
Homocysteine may stimulate the death of Astrocytes. [39]
Elevated homocysteine may cause Depression: [40]
17% of aged people with Depression have elevated homocysteine levels.
Elevated homocysteine may cause Major Depression. [41]
Elevated homocysteine levels may cause Memory impairment. [42]
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