High Homocysteine A Risk Factor For Heart Disease

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Folic Acid and Vitamins B6 and B12 Reduce The Risk.

Homocysteine

The Encarta Encyclopedia defines it as an amino acid, derived from proteins in the diet that can build up in the blood and contribute to the development of heart disease.

The American Heart Association does not consider it to be a major risk factor yet. They say that more scientific studies are needed to include it as major risk factor.

On they're website I found this article Homocysteine, Folic Acid and Cardiovascular Disease where they write that they haven't listed it as a major risk factor, but a risk factor nonetheless.

They suggest the following in the article. http://www.chicagoexcelclasses.com/

What is homocysteine? Recent findings suggest that laboratory testing for plasma homocysteines can improve the assessment of risk.

It may be particularly useful in patients with a personal or family history of cardiovascular disease, but in whom the well-established risk factors (smoking, high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure) do not exist.

Although evidence for the benefit of lowering levels is lacking, patients at high risk should be strongly advised to be sure to get enough folic acid and vitamins B6 and B12 in their diet.

Foods high in folic acid include green, leafy vegetables and grain products fortified with folic acid.

But this is just one risk factor.

A physician taking any type of nutritional approach to reducing risk should consider a person's overall risk factor profile and total diet.