Is homocysteine related to cardiovascular disease and how can vitamins help?
Homocysteine is an amino acid formed during the metabolism of protein. The association between elevated plasma levels of the amino acid homocysteine and the risk of cardiovascular disease was first postulated decades ago and was dismissed as an obscure hypothesis. However, since then, there are many studies published suggesting a close link between high levels of homocysteine and an increased risk of several forms of cardiovascular disease. The three B vitamins: folic acid, B6 and B12 tightly regulate the amount of circulating homocysteine. These vitamins can effectively lower homocysteine levels and it is thought to be a safe and inexpensive treatment of hyperhomocysteinemia.
