Q: The new HomocysteineFormula-PLUS (available Sept 21) contains Green Tea Extract. Green Tea Extract contains caffeine which I cannot ingest, as it can set off cardiac arrhythmia.
A: We have added high quality Green Tea Extract not for it´s caffeine content but for it´s very valuable content in natural antioxidants called EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate). Numerous scientific studies have shown that this EGCG has very beneficial effects on our brain performance, especially when we get older. Now EGCG shows already these positive effects at very low concentrations so we only needed to add 63 mg of Green Tea Extract to a daily serving of our new HomocysteineFormula-PLUS. These 63 mg of Green Tea Extract contain no more than 2 to maximum 5 mg caffeine per serving. If you consult with your doctor he will confirm that this amount of caffeine is of no concern with regards to cardiac arrhythmia nor does it cause any severe interference with other medications. Many of your daily food and drinks contain much more caffeine than that! Therefore, you can rest your mind at peace that our new, improved HomocysteineFormula-PLUS only brings you additional benefits and no potential risk.
Q: What is homocysteine and why is it a health issue?
A: Homocysteine is an amino acid that is produced by the body. Studies have shown that too much homocysteine in the blood is related to an increased risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, peripheral vascular disease and cognitive dysfunction.
Q: I'm already taking a multivitamin that contains 2 milligrams of B-6 and 600 micrograms of B-12. Do I still need to take the HomocysteineFormula if my levels are elevated?
A: Most multivitamins do not provide enough B-6, B-12, and folic acid to help lower homocysteine levels. Studies show that those with elevated homocysteine levels would benefit from taking much higher doses, such as those found in the HomocysteineFormula.[1,2 ,3]
Q: I have high homocysteine levels and want to use your product; however, I'm already taking your Daily2Tab. Will that be a problem?
A: No, that should be fine. B vitamins are water soluble, which means your body will excrete what it cannot use. However, because of the high potencies of the B vitamins in the HomocysteineFormula we recommend only using this product with a physician's recommendation.
Q: How do I know if I have high homocysteine levels?
A: High homocysteine levels do not cause immediate symptoms for most people. The best way to check your homocysteine level is through a routine blood test. Regular homocysteine testing may be useful if you or a family member have heart or blood vessel disease. According to the American Heart Association levels between 16-30 µmol/liter are considered moderately high. Anything over 31µmol/liter is considered very high.
1. Kidney Int. 1996 Jan;49(1):147-52
2. J Clin Invest. 1996 Jul 1;98(1):177-84
3. Am J Clin Nutr. 2005 Oct;82(4):806-12
4. Circulation. 1999;99:178-182.
