B12 + Folic Acid (Formerley Ovos Natural Health - Homocysteine Adjust) - 60 V-Caps - Aor

What is Homocysteine?

Homocysteine is a toxic amino acid. It is naturally present in the body and is a normal part of several metabolic pathways. Homocysteine is produced when methionine loses a methyl group. The transfer of methyl groups (CH3) from methionine is essential for the production of nucleic acids, fats and energy. Methylation is the natural process responsible for the conversion of homocysteine to useful methionine and SAMe: this requires methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF, the active form of folate) and vitamin B12.

What Causes Elevations in Homocysteine Levels?

Poor consumption of nutritional factors involved in homocysteine metabolism lead to hyperhomocysteinemia; of particular importance are vitamins B12 and folic acid. Insufficient intake of folate and vitamin B12 are common in the elderly.

Genetic defects leading to deficiencies and reduced activity of the enzymes required for the metabolism of homocysteine play a major role in cases of elevated homocysteine levels. Several different defects can impair the uptake, transfer, and conversion of dietary vitamin B12 into the active form of the vitamin. Defects in the enzyme known as methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) are the most common cause of hyperhomocysteinemia. More than 20 mutations for the gene responsible for the production of the enzyme have been identified.

The Enemy Within

Homocysteine reacts with proteins, leading to the degradation of lysine and cysteine residues found in protein. This is bad news for collagen which needs the cysteine rich enzyme lysyl oxidase for its production and maintenance. Elevations in homocysteine levels predispose to heart disease, myocardial infarctions, bone fractures and chronic inflammation. This is not surprising given the importance of collagen for the skeletal and vascular systems. Homocysteine also corresponds to disease activity in patients with autoimmune diseases, with increases in homocysteine levels seen during flare ups.

Homocysteine and Cardiovascular Health

Homocysteine has been linked to the progression of heart disease. It is thought that high homocysteine levels can cause endothelial damage to the lining of arteries. Hyperhomocysteinemia is believed to cause 60% of peripheral vascular disease, possibly because it damages collagen which provides structural support to the blood vessels. Higher homocysteine levels predispose to blood clots, which increases the risk for blood vessel blockages. Increasing clotting can also lead to thrombus formation, which increases the likelihood of stroke, pulmonary embolism and myocardial infarction. Increased homocysteine has been linked to a decreased intake of B vitamins, such as B9 and B12. Supplementation with folic acid and vitamin B12 helps to maintain healthy homocysteine levels.

Homocysteine and Bone Health

In the bones, collagen provides structural and adhesive support. Elevated homocysteine levels are thought to interfere with collagen cross-linking and may have an important role in osteoporosis. Homocysteine interacts with aldose groups found on collagen and leads to structural defects in collagen. In vitro studies have demonstrated that homocysteine increases osteoclastic activity, which leads to bone resorption. In a study published in The New England Journal of Medicine, Dutch researchers showed that men and women with high homocysteine levels were twice as likely to have suffered from a broken hip or have fractured other bones commonly injured in the elderly.

Homocysteine and Inflammation

Homocysteine is linked to inflammation, and both excess homocysteine and inflammation contribute to the progression of Alzheimer's, arthritis and diabetes. An eight-year study published in the New England Journal of Medicine involving 1092 subjects found that for every 5 micromoles/L increase in homocysteine levels, the risk of dementia or Alzheimer's was increased by 40%.