Wiktionary
n. (context amino acid English) An amino acid which is monitored in the blood to estimate risk of cardiovascular disease.
Wikipedia
Homocysteine is a non-protein α-amino acid. It is a homologue of the amino acid cysteine, differing by an additional methylene bridge (-CH-). It is biosynthesized from methionine by the removal of its terminal C methyl group. Homocysteine can be recycled into methionine or converted into cysteine with the aid of certain B-vitamins.
A high level of homocysteine in the blood ( hyperhomocysteinemia) makes a person more prone to endothelial cell injury, which leads to inflammation in the blood vessels, which in turn may lead to atherogenesis, which can result in ischemic injury. Hyperhomocysteinemia is therefore a possible risk factor for coronary artery disease. Coronary artery disease occurs when an atherosclerotic plaque blocks blood flow to the coronary arteries, which supply the heart with oxygenated blood.
Hyperhomocysteinemia has been correlated with the occurrence of blood clots, heart attacks and strokes, though it is unclear whether hyperhomocysteinemia is an independent risk factor for these conditions. Hyperhomoscyteinemia has also been associated with early pregnancy loss and with neural tube defects.
Usage examples of "homocysteine".
Taking 800 micrograms of folate a day in supplements, or 1,400 micrograms through your diet, can reduce homocysteine levels dramatically, essentially removing any excess homocysteine from your bloodstream and stopping its aging effects.
B-12 deficiency, so doctors should test homocysteine levels to see whether the patient needs vitamins.
In 1986 researchers filed a patent application for a method of testing the levels of homocysteine, an amino acid, in the blood.
They went one step further and asked for a patent on the basic biological relationship between homocysteine and vitamin deficiency.
Although Metabolite does not have a monopoly on test methodsother companies make homocysteine tests, toothey assert licensing rights on the correlation of elevated homocysteine with vitamin deficiency.
In scientific research, folic acid has prevented neural-tube defects in babies and also lowered blood levels of homocysteine, an amino acid that irritates blood vessels and is linked to heart disease.
There are some studies linking a deficiency in vitamin B6 with increased homocysteine levels and thus increased risk of heart disease.
Or other risk factors like high blood pressure or high homocysteine levels can be inherited as well.
As we covered in the heart chapter, elevated homocysteine levels are dangerous.
We believe that homocysteine causes small openings between the endothelial cells that make up the inner lining of your arteries, leading to deterioration of the arterial wall, buildup of plaque, and inflammation.
The B vitamins help lower homocysteine levels, and olive oil helps keep arteries clear.