Homocysteine test. Homocysteine is an amino acid that, when present in elevated levels, can increase your risk of heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular issues. While your body naturally processes homocysteine through vitamins B6, B12, and folate, disruptions in this process and aging can cause levels to rise, posing a potential threat to your heart, brain and overall well-being.
WHAT ARE NORMAL VALUES? typically the blood homocysteine concentration lies between 4 - 15 micro moles per litre (mcmol/L). Between 16 - 30 mcmcl/L the values are considered "slightly elevated". 31 - 100mcmol/L they are "intermediately elevated". Above 100 mcmcl/L they are seriously elevated.
WHY ARE HOMOCYSTEINE VALUES SO IMPORTANT? A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine* showed that your risk of dying due to a fatal heart event during a 3.9 to 5.3-year period doubles already when your homocysteine level increases from less than 9 mcmol/L to a range of 9-15 mcmol/L. Having a value over 15 mcmcl/L increases your risk by 5-fold compared to a value below 9 mcmol/L
It is therefore highly recommended to test your own homocysteine level once per year.
HOW CAN YOU REDUCE YOUR HOMOCYSTEINE LEVEL? Maintain a diet rich in fish, chicken, eggs, potatoes, chick-peas, citrus fruits, beans, leafy green vegetables. These contain usually one or more of the "trio" - vitamin B6, -B12 and folic acid. All three are essential de decompose the accumulated homocysteine in your body. Avoid fatty meat and exercise more. Supplements containing all three essential vitamins B6, B12 and Folic acid, like our HomocysteineFormula PLUS support a healthy diet and help to control your homocysteine levels.
*Nygard O et al. N Engl J Med. 1997 Jul 24;337(4):230-6.
