HOMOCYSTEINE: A METABOLIC TOXIN

Homocysteine is produced during the normal metabolism of methionine, an amino acid found protein. Although the body utilizes small amounts of homocysteine, it becomes toxic when levels are elevated (above 8 mmol/l). Fortunately, your body has an efficient means of detoxifying and eliminating excesses of homocysteine as well as other cellular toxins: a process called methylation. Methylation is one of your body’s house cleaning services. It is as important to a healthy body as cleaning to the maintenance of your home. If you never washed the dishes, vacuumed the carpets, or dusted, your home would deteriorate beyond repair. In a similar fashion, without adequate methylation in your body, homocysteine and other metabolic by products build up, initiating and accelerating not only atherosclerosis but also Alzheimer’s disease, cancer and other maladies.

Homocysteine is extremely damaging to the arteries. It decreases the production of nitric oxide, which protects the endothelium by preventing the adhesion of substances that initiate atherosclerosis. Homocysteine also initiates the muscle cells of the arteries, and it makes the platelets stickier, increasing the likelihood of blood clots that may cause heart attacks. Fortunately, keeping the methylation process in tiptop shape is fairly easy. All it requires is adequate amounts of folic acid and vitamin B12. Although vitamin B6 does not directly facilitate methylation, it also lowers homocysteine levels by converting homocysteine to crysteine, a harmless amino acid.

COMPOSITION OF VARIOUS FOOD SUPPLEMENTS

1.       CENTRUM SILVER (Most popular US brand not manufactured in India. $18.99 for 220 Tabs.)

                                                                       

Vitamin  A 3500 IU, Vitamin C 60 mg, Vitamin D 400 IU, Vitamin E 45 IU, Vitamin K 10 mcg, Thiamin 1.5 mg, Riboflavin 1.7 mg, Niacin 20mg, Vitamin B6 3mg, Folic Acid 400 mcg, Vitamin B12-25 mcg, Magnesium 100 mg, Zinc 15 mg, Selenium 20 mcg, Copper 2 mg, Manganese 2 mg, Chromium 150 mcg, Molybdenum 25 mcg, Chloride 72 mg, Potassium 80 mg, Boron 150 mcg, Nickel 5 mcg, Silicon 2 mg, Vanadium 10mcg, Lutein 250mcg, Lycopene 300 mcg

 

2.       ANTOXID (Rs. 84.00 for 30 tabs. American Remedies)

 

Vitamin A 2500 IU, Vitamin C 50 mg, Vitamin E 10 IU, Beta Carotene 50 mg, Zinc Sulph Monohydrate 27.45 mg, Monohydrate Selenium Dioxide 70 mcg.

 

3.       CARDIOVIT (Rs. 24.00 for 10 tabs. Emil)

 

Vitamin A 2500 IU, Pyridoxine HIS 1.5 mg, Vitamin B12 1 mcg, Folic Acid 300 mcg, Ascorbic Acid 50 mg, Selenium Dioxide Monohydrate 163.30 mcg, Vitamin E10 IU.

 

4.       SUPRADYN (Rs. 13.00 for 10 tabs. Nicholas Piramal)

 

Vitamin A 10000 IU, Vitamin D 1000 IU, Vitamin B1 10mg.

Vitamin B2 10 mg, Vitamin B6 3mg, Vitamin B12 150mcg, Nicotinamide 100 mg, Cal Pantothenate 16.3 mg, Sod. Borate 0.88 mg, Sod. Molybdate 0.25 mg, Zinc Sulph 2.2 mg.

Vitamin C 150 mg, Vitamin E 25 mg, Biotin 0.25mg, Cal. Phosphate 129mg, MagOxide 60 mg, Dried Ferrous Sulphate 32.04 mg, Mang. Sulph 2.03 mg, Copper Sulph 3.39 mg.

 

5.       BECADEXAMIN (Rs. 30.00 for 30 caps. Glaxo)

 

Vitamin A 5000 IU, Vitamin D3, 400 IU, Vitamin E 14 mg Vitamin B1 5mg, Vitamin B2 5mg, Ferrous Fumarate 0.50mg, Diabasic Cal. Phos. 70mg, Copper Sulph 0.1 mg, Mang Sulph 0.01 mg, Zinc Sulph 0.50 mg, Pot lodide 0.025 mg, Mag. Oxide 0.15mg, D-panthenol 5 mg.

 

 

B-COMPLEX VITAMINS CLEAN UP HOMOCYSTEINE

 

The procedure of detoxifying homo-cysteine is through a process called methylation, in which homocysteine is converted into essential amino acid methionine. However, in order for the methylation process to run smoothly, adequate amounts of folic acid and vitamin B12 are required. Vitamin B6, though not an active player in methylation, keeps homocysteine levels in check by converting the toxin to cysteine, another harmless amino acid. The point here is that many of us do not get sufficient amounts of B – vitamins in our diets. This impedes methylation and allows homocysteine levels and risk of heart disease to rise. However if the patient is suffering from heart disease even greater protection is required.

 

Vitamin B6 1100 mg

Folic Acid 1200-1600 mg

Vitamin B 12 1000 mg

 

Most people will be able to keep homocysteine levels under control with supplemental B-vitamins. However those at greater risk may benefit from additional methyl donors, which like folic acid and Vitamin B-12 help convert homocysteine into methionine. The most common and readily available supplemental methyl donor is trimethylglycine TMG, which is obtained from beets. The recommended dose is 1000 mg daily.

 

Since the B-Complex vitamins work in tandem, one should always take them together. Select a multivitamin formula that contains the entire gamut of B-Vitamins but make sure that it has therapeutic doses of vitamin B6, B12 and folic acid.

 

Hope you liked this article!

 

This article is written by Dr. Bimal Chhajer (Heart Specialist Delhi)