My mission is to empower you to take control of your health. - Dr. Lam, MD

Home Library About Me supplements Ask Me
"Thank you Doctor for your reply...I find it very wonderful that you are willing to give your time to this subject...@hawaii.rr.com" ..More
books
Dr. Lam Author of

Tools
Ask Me


HOMOCYSTEINE

Michael Lam, MD, MPH
www.DrLam.com



Before You Begin

Information presented here is for general educational purposes only. Each one of us is biochemically and metabolically different. If you have a specific health concern and wish my personalized nutritional recommendation, write to me by clicking here.


Since the 1980s, research has shown that homocysteine is an important and independent risk factor of heart disease. Recent studies have also confirmed that a high homocysteine level also leads to premature death from a variety of sources, including  strokes and cancer.
 
Researchers at the University of Bergen, for example, studied over 2000 men and 2500 women, aged 65 to 67 years from 1992 onwards.  After 5 years, it was shown that  for every 5.0 micromol/L increase in homocysteine levels above the baseline level (9.0 micromol/L),  mortality from all causes increased by 49 percent, cardiovascular mortality by 50 percent, cancer mortality by 26 percent, and deaths from other causes (respiratory, gastrointestinal and central nervous system diseases) by 104 percent.  About 78 percent of the study group had homocysteine levels at or above 9.0 micromol/L and 12 per cent had levels exceeding 15 micromol/L.

 
These alarming results are obtained after adjusting for cholesterol level, blood pressure, smoking, body weight, height, physical activity level, cardiovascular disease risk status at baseline, age and gender. 


Those who smoke and drink coffee tend to have the highest homocysteine level, while those practicing a healthy lifestyle have the lowest.  The take home lesson is simple - lower your homocysteine level or face risk of pre-mature death.

It is interesting to note that below-normal levels of vitamin B12 were found in none of the omnivores, but 26% of the vegetarians and 78% of the vegans had below-normal levels.  Elevated homocysteine was found in 29% of the vegetarians compared with only 5% of the omnivores.  Even though a vegetarian diet can lower serum cholesterol, the opposite effect on homocysteine could offset any potential benefit.
 
Fortunately, homocysteine levels can be safely and effectively lowered naturally by daily supplementation with

a. Folic acid (800 mcg to 10 mg/day),

b. Vitamin B6 (50-100 mg/day) , and

c. Vitamin B12 (600-1000 mcg/day).
 

If you do not wish to take nutritional supplements, following the anti-aging food pyramid will give you the similar results.  Because folic acid and vitamin B are relatively inexpensive, those whose lifestyles are less than desirable should take these nutrients as an additional insurance.

 



Message from Dr. Lam

I hope you have enjoyed reading this article. If you have areas you don’t understand, or if you have a specific health concern, feel free to write to me by clicking here.

 

About The Author

Michael Lam, M.D., M.P.H., A.B.A.A.M. is a specialist in Preventive and Anti-Aging Medicine. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Oregon State University, and his Doctor of Medicine degree from Loma Linda University School of Medicine, California. He also holds a Masters of Public Health degree and is Board Certification in Anti-aging Medicine by the American Board of Anti-Aging Medicine. He has authored numerous articles and the following books: The Five Proven Secrets to Longevity, How to Stay Young and Live Longer, Estrogen Dominance - Hormonal Imbalance of the 21st Century, and Beating Cancer with Natural Medicine.

For More Information

For the latest anti-aging related health issues, visit Dr. Lam at www.DrLam.com. Feel free to email Dr. Lam by clicking here if you have any questions.

Reprint Information

This article may, in its unabridged, unaltered form and in its entirety only, be reprinted and republished without permission provided that it is for personal and non commercial education use only and further provided that credit be given to the author, with copyright notice and www.DrLam.com clearly displayed as source. Written permission from Dr. Lam is required for all other use.

© 1999-2009  Michael Lam, M.D. All Rights Reserved.

 


Ask me for FREE!

Free Newsletter

Sign up for my newsletters:

You can also CALL ME FOR FREE




Follow Me On Twitter!
Translate this page!

English   French   German   Spain   Italian   Dutch   
Russian   Portuguese   Japanese   Korean   Arabic   Chinese Simplified





Michael Lam, MD, MPH, ABAAM
Find out More



Home     |      Library     |      Supplements      |      Site Map      |      Contact Us

Reprint Permission

Articles and My Opinions may be copied in its full and unabridged form for non-profit education use provided that
all copyright, contact, and creation information is given, and the source clearly indicated as www.DrLam.com.
Written permission is required for all other content and any other use, including but not limited to
chat, email, private and public forums and private conversations and consultations.


Disclaimer/Terms of Service | Privacy Statement

Copyright 2001-2009 by Michael Lam, M.D.. All Rights Reserved.
The contents of this website are primarily based upon the opinions of Dr. Lam, unless otherwise noted. Individual articles are based upon the opinions of the respective author, who retains copyright as marked. No doctor-patient relationship is established by your visit or participation in our website. No claim or opinion on these pages is intended to be, nor should be construed to be, medical advice. Please consult with a healthcare professional before starting any health program, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition. Statements in this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Any products mentioned is not inteded to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.