Homocysteine: What is it? And What is it Doing to Your Health?

Article by Wellness Crusader

What is homocysteine?

Each one of your trillions of cells makesproteins. A useful tool in making proteins isan amino acid called homocysteine (HCY).Amino acids are building blocks of proteinand fall into two categories:* Essential amino acids – these proteinsare called “essential” because you needthem to make other amino acids.* Non-essential amino acids – your bodymakes these proteins when it needs them.It uses essential amino acids as the sourcematerial for constructing non-essentialamino acids.

HCY works like dynamite to break essentialamino acids into simpler, useable, non-essentialamino acids. If everything works perfectly, HCYis neutralized once it completes its work. Butif your body lacks the nutrients necessary toneutralize HCY, it can build up in your body,break free into your bloodstream, and damageyour cells. High levels of HCY are a significantrisk factor for many of the degenerative diseasesyou hear about daily – including heart disease,cancer, Alzheimer’s and osteoporosis.Other things that can prevent your body fromusing HCY correctly include:* Poor diet* Stress* Pollution* No exercise* Lack of sleep.

Every day, each of these factors weakensyour body’s ability to neutralize excess HCY.And that adds up to increased HCY levels.Your body’s weakened defenses allow HCY toescape into your bloodstream – which canresult in damage inside your body and brain:* HCY can thicken and harden yourarteries, and weaken your heart tissue -this can lead to strokes and heart attacks.The destruction caused by HCY islike thousands of tiny paper cuts insideyour arteries. Scar tissue develops andthe walls of your blood vessels thickenso much that blood cannot easily passthrough. This trauma eventually overwhelmsyour ability to heal and a cloggedartery – or even a blood clot – forms andcauses a heart attack.* Your brain is made up of trillions ofconnections – like wires – that aresuspended in liquid and surrounded byfat. HCY starts a process that tanglesthese wires into a jumbled mess, withno way for them to accurately communicatewith each other. This may lead todementia and Alzheimer’s disease.* HCY can impact DNA function,causing potentially dangerous cellor DNA mutations.* Your bones are living tissues thatconstantly form a pattern of strong,fi brous connections. The strength ofyour bones relies on protein links – likelinks in a chain. Excessive amounts ofHCY can damage these links, leavingyour bones unable to absorb calcium,causing weak bones and potentiallyleading to osteoporosis.

What’s a healthy homocysteine level?It’s important to know your homocysteine levelsbecause it’s an accurate way to determine yourpresent health and predict your likelihood formajor disease. You cannot test your homocysteinelevels at home – they must be tested bya healthcare provider. Ask your physician tocheck your homocysteine levels at your nextphysical. Also be sure to check with your insuranceprovider to make sure the test is covered.

You don’t need drugs or medications to safely lower your homocysteine levels. Lifestyle changesand modifications are the primary ways to help reduce high homocysteine. Incorporate the followinginto your daily life to bring homocysteine to a healthy level.* Eat fruits and vegetables high in folate or folic acid – fi ve servings daily for children,seven servings for women, and nine servings for men. Try to include plenty of green,leafy vegetables.* Reduce your stress load. You can do this by prioritizing, practicing deep breathing andlearning to say “no.”* Get at least 30 minutes of vigorous activity most days of the week. Include both aerobicand resistance training in your exercise regime.* Try to get 7 ? to 9 hours of sleep every night.* Defeat stress by nurturing your spirit with healthy relationships and a healthy sense ofpurpose. Studies show that people who are more active and social tend to be healthier.* Supplement your diet with homocysteine-lowering nutrients such as those in TriVita’sHCY Guard.

Homocysteine can be a silent killer. But by being aware of it, and taking measures to keep it athealthy levels, you can live a life of health and vitality for years to come. Get your homocysteinelevels checked today!

About the Author

To reduce high HCY levels in remarkably short periods of time, visit: http://www.trivita.com/13170419The ‘Wellness Crusader’ is passionate about spreading the word of natural healing around the world. His mission is to educate as well as provide resources for living your life in optimal health. (Independent TriVita Affiliate Member/Luis Gonzales Jr./13170419)