Are you aware of the fact that there is a connection between homocysteine and your brain and heart’s health?Homocysteine is basically a type of amino acid that is generated by the human body during its protein metabolism. It is not acquired from the diet. The body itself makes homocysteine from the amino acid methionine present in the diet through a multi-stage process. After that, the body makes use of folate, Vitamin B12, Vitamin B6 to recycle the homocysteine back into methionine or convert it into one other amino acid cysteine.
Considering the normal levels, homocysteine is neutral, neither unhealthy nor dangerous. But when homocysteine is not appropriately metabolized, it builds up and works as a toxin. Elevated homocysteine levels could lead to inflammation; damage the lining of the arteries, increase blood clot formation, eventually resulting in blockages.
A clot in the blood vessel is called a thrombus. A thrombus travels into the bloodstream, getting itself stuck in the lungs, brain, or even in the heart. People who suffer from abnormally high levels of homocysteine are at high risk of coronary artery diseases, abnormal cholesterol levels, and high blood pressure.
Studies indicate that higher levels of homocysteine are detrimental to the brain as well. Elevated homocysteine levels damage the DNA and also induces cell death, which causes the brain to shrink or brain atrophy. It increases the risk of Alzheimer’s along with several other mental abnormalities like anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder.
What Leads To High Homocysteine?
Adults generally have elevated homocysteine levels as there perhaps not be any noticeable symptoms. A simple blood test can help determine the status. On the other hand, doctors do not frequently order the tests unless the patient has a family history of heart diseases. Hence, it is imperative that you ask your doctor about it.
High homocysteine levels may be caused due to:
Vitamin deficiencies
To maintain normal homocysteine levels, the body requires Vitamin B6, folate, and Vitamin B12 that is obtained from the diet. Having deficiencies in such vitamins could lead to increases in levels of homocysteine.
Genetics
People who are born with MTHFR mutation suffer from the poor generation of enzymes that are generally used for metabolizing homocysteine. This metabolic disorder is more of an enzyme defect and is generally passed on to the child from the parents. It is estimated that more than 30 to 50 percent of the population worldwide may carry a mutation in the MTHFR gene. The type of symptoms and severity varies from person to person depending on how much of these enzymes an individual generates as a result of the MTHFR mutation. The reduction perhaps ranges from 10 to 30 percent to as much as 70 to 90 percent.
People suffering from MTHFR mutation are most likely to have increased inflammation, higher homocysteine levels, diabetes, and a higher risk of heart diseases, tough pregnancies, birth defects, depression and anxiety, fatigue along with an impaired ability to detoxify.