Homocysteine
Homocysteine increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. (Stein from NaF (gray tube))
Homocysteine is a substance produced by the body during the metabolism of the necessary amino acid methionine. Elevated homocysteine levels can result from genetic disorders, as well as from a lack of vitamin B11 (folic acid), which may or may not be combined with a lack of vitamin B6 and B12. With increasing age, normal homocysteine levels also increase by about 5 to 10% every 10 years.
You must be sober for 12 hours for blood sampling for this test!
Please note: DO NOT send in hot weather when temperatures exceed 25 degrees. On hot days, drop the sample off in the mailbox at a PostNL location.
Please note: DO NOT ship via parcel service (track and trace).
If blood is collected early on the day of shipment, store it in the refrigerator.
Causes elevated homocysteine:
- Hereditary defects leading to errors in metabolism around homocysteine
- A deficiency of vitamin B11 (folic acid) and/or vitamin B6 and B12
- Ageing, every 10 years the homocysteine level increases by 5 to 10%.
- Lifestyle, including smoking and drinking coffee.
To ensure accurate interpretation of the results, it is recommended to also test for vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and folic acid (B11).
- You can detect an early vitamin B12 deficiency using active vitamin B12 (Holo-TC).
- You can measure vitamin B12 absorption issues using the vitamin B12 methylmalonic acid test.
- Hereditary vitamin B12 absorption problems are the result of this test.
Elevated homocysteine levels indicate a functional B12 deficiency, even if the blood level of B12 is still within the (low) normal range! Homocysteine is an amino acid that can be produced in the human body from another amino acid, namely methionine. This conversion occurs with the help of enzymes. Under normal circumstances, the homocysteine produced is either converted or broken down so that its levels in the body do not increase.
If this process is incomplete, homocysteine can continue to circulate in the blood. Elevated homocysteine levels can result from genetic abnormalities, but also from a deficiency in folic acid, vitamins B6, B2, and B12. These vitamins act as coenzymes in the breakdown of methionine. As people age, normal homocysteine levels rise by about 5 to 10% every 10 years.
In the United Kingdom and the United States, the normal homocysteine level in the blood is increasingly set at 7 µmol/liter for men and 6 µmol/liter for women. A value above 15 µmol/liter is too high.
However, this level must be measured after the person has not eaten or drunk anything for 12 hours (on an empty stomach).
Homocysteine and Diet
Vegetables, fruits, and especially sprouts (alfalfa, mung bean sprouts, broccoli sprouts, etc.) contain substances that lower homocysteine levels. The most effective anti-homocysteine foods are:
Vegetable sprouts, avocado, cottage cheese, ricotta, fish, oysters, legumes, eggs, onions,
garlic, nuts, seeds (tahini), seaweed, wheat germ, poultry, broccoli, cabbage, chicory, leafy greens, muesli, and asparagus.
