How to Lower Homocysteine Levels to Prevent Aging and Illness

Going to the doctor sucks. Lets face it nobody wants to step on that scale and be told about all the numbers they need to improve, or the habits they need to change to increase their lifespan. But ironically enough, doctors don’t even tell you about the one thing, which when maintained properly, promotes a longer and healthier life.

Homocysteine is an amino acid created from another amino acid called Methionine. It’s one of the best objective markers of your health and, importantly, how long you’ll live.

We get Methionine through many tasty and protein rich foods like eggs, milk, fish or my favorites yogurt and beans. Not mixed together of course that would be weird. Although, if weird is your cup o’ tea then by all means mix your high protein content foods together.

When your body efficiently converts homocysteine it transforms into two substances called SAMe and glutathione. Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant and detoxifying agent that helps slow down aging and SAMe helps prevent depression, arthritis and liver damage. Besides having very odd names these two elements are incredibly important to living a long and healthy life

Why you don’t hear about it!

We all hear stories of our buddy from work who smokes two packs a day and has a hard time getting up the stairs. His doctor told him to cut this and that and of course to quit smoking. It’s a common health factor that many people are aware of. Smoking kills. But very few people know about their equally important homocysteine number and its health risks and benefits.

Why?

The answer is surprisingly simple. Doctors prefer to follow a method they are familiar with and have used for many years. Stepping out of their comfort zone to try something they are unaccustomed to is not appealing. The phrase, “Why fix what isn’t broken,” is applicable here. The prosperous lipid method is commonly used by doctors to identify health hazards and recommend lipid lowering drug treatments.

“The pharmaceutical industry encourages doctors to prescribe highly profitable lipid-lowering drugs to prevent heart attack or stroke in their at-risk patients; there’s simply no monetary incentive for selling non-patentable dietary supplements that perform as well as prescription drugs in lowering homocysteine levels.” (Has, Robert, MS. Is Homocysteine Making You Sick? LifeExtension.com.N.p.,Aug2009.Web.Apr.16)

Say what? Yeah I know and it gets worse.

Many physicians remain unaware that high homocysteine levels can lead to depression, osteoporosis and headaches. And of course that they can be avoided by lowering your homocysteine levels.

Homocysteine levels:

A healthy homocysteine level is anything measured below 6 units. Only about 10% of the population maintains this level with an extremely low risk for disease. A moderate level is anything between 6-8.9 units. This rating could be better but still maintains a low risk for disease. An at-risk level measures at 9-20+ units. This is extremely unhealthy level and has a very high risk for disease and bodily damage.

Health concerns:

When your body does not efficiently convert homocysteine (into SAMe and glutathione) the levels rise and damage your health putting you at risk for heart attacks, strokes, cancer, diabetes, thyroid-related health challenges, parkinsons, alzheimers, depression, infertility, chronic pain, and digestive disorders. YIKES!

A high blood level of homocysteine speeds up aging, decreases the strength of your immune system and damages your arteries. It is not a stretch to say that having high homocysteine over an extended period significantly increases your risk of pretty much every chronic health condition. Including many varieties of cancer.

Now that I’ve scared the bejesus out of you, I should tell you that a high homocysteine level isn’t a death sentence. It’s more of a warning. And if you’re looking for ways to improve your levels, there are nine lifestyle changes you can instill right now!

9 ways to lower your homocysteine levels:

Eat primarily healthy fats and oils.
Make vegetables at least 50% of your diet.
Eat protein rich foods like eggs, fish, legumes, dark green vegetables, and small amounts of nuts and seeds.

Avoid drinking more than one cup of caffeinated coffee or tea per day.
Only one cup of beer or red wine per day.
Reduce your stress.

Don’t smoke.
Decrease your intake of salty foods.
Be sure to have reliable whole food sources of the following nutrients in your diet:

Folate
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B6

Vitamin B2
Zinc
Magnesium

TMG (Trimethylglycine-from choline)

So not only does a high homocysteine level increase your likelihood of many horrible and life-threatening diseases but it also makes you look old and decrepit. Seems unfair that one little amino acid can be in charge of so many bodily factors.

I think it’s safe to say that maintaining a low level of homocysteine is in your best interest. If nothing else, it will help prevent degenerative diseases and illnesses and prolong your life.

Do yourself a favor next time you go for a routine check up ask your doctor to check your homocysteine levels. Your mind, body and future health will surely thank you!

Sources

Has, Robert, MS. “Is Homocysteine Making You Sick?” LifeExtension.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Apr. 2016.

King, Ben, DR. “Homocysteine: One of the Best Objective Markers of How Healthy You Are.” Homocysteine: One of the Best Objective Markers of How Healthy You Are. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Apr. 2016.