Homocysteine
An inflammatory amino acid that, when elevated, damages blood vessel linings and increases the risk of heart disease and cognitive decline.
Deep Dive
Homocysteine is a waste product of the methylation cycle. In a healthy body, it is quickly recycled into harmless methionine via vitamin B12 and folate, or converted into cysteine and eventually glutathione via vitamin B6. When this recycling process is impaired, homocysteine accumulates in the blood.
However, if you have the MTHFR gene mutation or B-vitamin deficiencies, homocysteine builds up. It is a critical 'warning light' for methylation failure. Elevated homocysteine damages the endothelial lining of blood vessels, promotes oxidative stress, increases clot formation, and accelerates arterial plaque development.
Beyond cardiovascular risk, high homocysteine is linked to cognitive decline, depression, osteoporosis, and pregnancy complications. Optimal levels are below 7 µmol/L, though conventional medicine often considers up to 15 µmol/L as 'normal.' Targeted B-vitamin supplementation in methylated forms can typically normalise levels within weeks.