Homocysteine
The heart is probably the most significant organ in the body. The moment the heart starts loosing its ability to function 
as it should, the entire body will suffer.
Arteriosclerosis
The heart pumps blood to nourish all parts of the body, including itself. Blood flows through coronary arteries and into the heart muscle. Coronary artery disease is caused by arteriosclerosis, which is a gradual build up of material inside the arteries. The blood paths get smaller and decrease the amount of blood that can flow. If a blood clot plugs one of these arteries or blood flow decreases enough, the muscle — starved for oxygen — dies and a heart attack occurs.
Arteriosclerosis is a complex disease, which often progresses slowly for decades and becomes serious only in older age. For some people in their thirties, it develops rapidly. Although men are generally more often at risk at younger ages, young women also develop coronary disease. After menopause, the likelihood of coronary artery disease and heart attacks in women significantly increases. Cholesterol is the most common risk factor but new ground breaking research has shown that there might be much more to worry about!
Homocysteine
High Homocysteine levels are believed to be of much greater concern with regard to heart disease as is the case for many other diseases. Homocysteine is an amino acid (a building block of protein) that is produced in the human body. Scientists have discovered that Homocysteine may irritate blood vessels, leading to blockages in the arteries. High Homocysteine levels in the blood can also cause cholesterol to change to a form that is more damaging to arteries (called oxidizing low-density lipoprotein). In addition high Homocysteine levels can make blood clot more easily than it should increasing the risk of blood vessel blockages. A blockage might cause a person to have a stroke, heart attack or a problem with blood circulation.
Homocysteine and associated diseases It is becoming general knowledge that most people have elevated levels of Homocysteine putting them at risk of diseases such as, Cardiovascular disease, Arteriosclerosis, Heart attacks, Strokes, Angina, Kidney stones, Alzheimer’s disease and Diabetes related diseases.
Who are at risk?
People with a family history of cardio-vascular disease, diabetes or underactive thyroid glands are at risk for developing high homocysteine levels. People with high stress levels, smokers, frequent coffee drinkers, people with poor diets and women entering menopause. Certain types of medication can also increase Homocysteine levels, these include medication for elevated cholesterol, diabetes medication, Methothrexate and anti-epileptic medication.
What can you do?
Studies have shown that taking supplements that lower homocysteine levels (i.e. Pro-Vasc) will have beneficial effects.
Diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease.
Diabetes, diabetes associated diseases and Alzheimer’s disease are associated with poor blood circulation. In turn this causes a decrease in the amount of nutrients that reach the cells and a build up of waste products. In the long run it will cause tissue damage. The negative effects of poor blood circulation are well known and range from gradual loss of eye sight and damage of brain tissue to varicose veins.
Free Radicals and the Anti-Oxidant systems.
Free Radical’s are metabolic waste products naturally formed in the body. They cause a number of serious problems and their effects are well documented, problems caused by free radicals range from premature cell aging to arthritis and cancer. Our bodies are however equipped with a strong anti-oxidant mechanism to actively fight free radicals. One of these systems is dependent on the conversion of Homocysteine into N-acetyl L-cysteine a potent neutralizer of free radicals.
Infertility and women’s health.
According to health guru Patrick Halford the single best determinant that a women is ready to conceive is a low Homocysteine level for both the female and male. He further states that provided a person have a level below 6mmol/l they can go ahead and conceive, but with a level above 6mmol/l couples could end up having complications.
Since most women nowadays use oral contraceptives its no wonder that many women have dangerously high Homocysteine level. This is due to the fact that birth control tablets break down the essential nutrients needed to control Homocysteine levels.
