How homocysteine affects to your health?

Leading authors are talking a lot about methylation disorder and how high homocysteine affects to your health. It´s trendy to talk about  MTHFR mutation but this is misunderstanding, it is methylation disorder not any genetic mutation to be clear.

Methylation is a key biochemical process that is essential for the proper function of almost all of your body’s systems. It occurs billions of times every second; it helps repair your DNA on a daily basis; it controls homocysteine (an unhealthy compound that can damage blood vessels); it helps recycle molecules needed for detoxification; and it helps maintain mood and keep inflammation in check. (Mark Hyman MD)

Homocysteine is a naturally occurring amino acid produced as part of the body’s methylation process. The level of homocysteine in the plasma is increasingly being recognised as a risk factor for disease and seen as a predictor of potential health problems such as cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer’s.

• Homocysteine is a chemical in the blood that’s produced when an amino acid called methionine is broken down in the body.
• Causes of high homocysteine include eating a poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, smoking or drug use, nutrient deficiencies, or having methylation disorder.
• Elevated homocysteine levels can cause increased inflammation, irritation of the blood vessels, heart disease, neurological problems and other symptoms.
• Natural treatments for high homocysteine include improving your diet, exercising, managing stress, reducing deficiencies and taking supplements to mitigate symptoms.

What causes raised homocysteine levels?

Many factors are thought to raise levels of homocysteine like;

• poor diet
• poor lifestyle especially smoking
• high coffee intake
• alcohol intake
• some prescription drugs
• diabetes
• rheumatoid arthritis
• poor thyroid function.

Raised levels are also associated with chronic inflammatory diseases in general, and some intestinal disorders such as celiac and Crohn’s diseases. Levels increase with age and higher levels are more common in men than women. Levels of homocysteine can increase with estrogen deficiency and with some long term medications, including corticosteroids. Strict vegetarians and vegans may also be at risk and people who suffer from stress.

Natural treatments for high homocysteine levels:

1. Food diet; eat mostly organic unprocessed food, consumer more fiber, get enough antioxidants, no alcohol, no caffeine, increase probiotic foods,  healthy fats only,  more natural folate, vitamins B and zinc.
2. Get enough folate (Metafolin) – avoid folic acid.
3. Vitamin B6 and B12 (adenocyl/methylcobalamin). More about vitamin B12.
4. Supplements to improve blood flow; magnesium, omega3, Q10, selenium and vitamins C, D and E.
5. Exercising – regular exercise improves immune function, hormonal balance, decreases stress, improves sleep quality
6. Enough rest – sleep 7 to 9 hours a night
7. Manage stress – meditate, journaling, spend time in nature, volunteering

Health, Love & Peace ♡

-Sari

You find me on Instagram @peacefulhealthwarrior, focused more on food.

Sources: foodforthebrain.org, drhyman.com