Homocysteine: More Lethal Than Cholesterol?

Abstract

Does homocysteine play a role in the blockage of arteries? If it does, what can be done to rid our bodies of homocysteine? Is homocysteine more lethal than cholesterol ? A meta-analysis of 5-study outcomes is presented for the purpose of describing intervention effectiveness for folate, vitamin B₁₂, and vitamin B₆ on plasma homocysteine concentrations. The differences in measurement techniques and study designs preclude direct, quantitative comparisons between studies. However, the 5-study outcomes reviewed for the correlation of vitamin status and homocysteine plasma level, show that there are inverse associations between homocysteine plasma levels and folate, vitamin B₁₂, and vitamin B₆ plasma levels and that elevated plasma homocysteine levels can be reduced by increasing the dietary and/or supplemental intake of these three B vitamins. A greater heart disease risk has been linked to people with higher plasma levels of homocysteine, and this may be more lethal than cholesterol.