The Simple Blood Test That Could Save Your Heart and Your Brain

Elevated levels of homocysteine in the blood are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular and neurological diseases.

Maintaining optimal homocysteine levels is crucial for overall health, as high levels can lead to inflammation and damage to blood vessels.

Why Test for Homocysteine?

Studies have found elevated homocysteine levels in almost 30% of people older than 65 and more than 40% in people 80 and older.

High levels of homocysteine commonly referred to as hyperhomocysteinemia has long been established as a risk factor for ischemic heart disease, heart attack, sudden cardiac death, premature coronary artery disease, carotid artery stenosis (narrowing), blot clots, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease.

Newer studies have also identified high homocysteine as an independent risk factor for dementia and cognitive impairment.

Homocysteine levels higher than 15 µmol/L are associated with nearly double the prevalence of dementia.

A 2017 study showed that patients with Parkinson's disease and cognitive dysfunction were more likely to have higher homocysteine levels. 

By measuring homocysteine levels, healthcare practitioners can be proactive in their health management, aiding in the prevention of serious medical conditions and promoting overall well-being.

Homocysteine- LabCorp code: 706994

Understanding Homocysteine Test Results

Normal and optimal homocysteine levels should be less than 10 µmol/L.

Levels between 10-15 µmol/L are considered borderline.

Hyperhomocysteinemia is diagnosed with a serum homocysteine level greater than 15 µmol/L. T

Here are three classifications of hyperhomocysteinemia:

Moderate: 16-30 µmol/L

Intermediate: 31-100 µmol/L

Severe: > 100 µmol/L

Causes of Elevated Homocysteine Levels

Factors that can compromise homocysteine metabolism and contribute to elevated levels include:

Comorbid medical conditions: cancer, diabetes, kidney disease, thyroid dysfunction, homocystinuria

Folate, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 deficiencies (most common)

Dietary factors: excess consumption of alcohol, coffee, and methionine-rich foods

Genetic variations of the cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) genes

Older age

Health Concerns of High Homocysteine

Elevated levels of homocysteine damage the inner endothelial lining of blood vessels, promoting inflammation and oxidative stress in the vasculature. This increases the risk of atherosclerosis, a thickening and hardening of arteries caused by plaque buildup, and blood clots. 

There is growing evidence that homocysteine is neurotoxic and decreases blood perfusion to the brain. Elevated levels are associated with neurodegeneration progression, as observed in diseases like Alzheimer's disease. 

Strategies to Lower Homocysteine Levels

Addressing high homocysteine through dietary modifications includes moderating alcohol and coffee consumption and adequately consuming foods rich in folate, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12.

Some of the foods with the highest content of these vitamins are listed below:

Folate: spinach, liver, asparagus, and brussels sprouts

Vitamin B6: fish, organ meats, potatoes, non-citrus fruits

Vitamin B12: fish, meat, poultry, eggs, dairy 

Eating a high-protein diet has also been shown to elevate homocysteine levels. Methionine is found in high quantities in the standard American diet, concentrated in foods like meat, fish, poultry, dairy, and eggs. Limiting the intake of these foods may prevent hyperhomocysteinemia. 

Supplements to Lower Homocysteine Levels

Studies have demonstrated the efficacy of B vitamin supplementation in reducing homocysteine levels.

If your homocysteine is over 10 micromoles per liter, you can lower it by taking B6, B12 and folate. If your homocysteine is above 10 start by taking the pyridoxal-5-phosphate (P5P) form of vitamin B6, 20-to 50 milligrams each day; the methylcobalamin (methyl-B12) and adenosylcobalamin forms of B12, 1 milligram in total each day; and the methyltetrahydrofolate (methyl-folate), starting with 0.8 milligrams (and as high as 5 milligrams) each day.

After three months, recheck the homocysteine to make sure it has dropped to 10 micromoles per liter or lower. In the uncommon cases in which it hasn't, simply add 500 milligrams daily of glycine betaine (also called trimethylglycine).

Re-check homocysteine in another three months. 

If still high reduce the methionine (the amino acid from which the body makes homocysteine) in your diet by limiting consumption of foods such as nuts, beef, lamb, cheese, turkey, pork, shellfish, soy, eggs, dairy and beans.

Research suggests that omega-3 fatty acids effectively reduce homocysteine levels, especially when simultaneously taken with B vitamins. 

Oral N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) supplementation may be considered for preventing vascular events and treating hyperhomocysteinemia. Four weeks of oral NAC dosed at 1.8 grams daily resulted in reductions of serum homocysteine by 11.7% and significant reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure. 

References:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15218538/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8929261 ;

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/226081

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002916523279411?via%3Dihub

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002916523137397?via%3Dihub

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0899900711000098?via%3Dihub

https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jcbn/64/3/64_17-56/_article

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1096719220300512?via%3Dihub

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bcpt.12424

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213231719309589?via%3Dihub

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0304394016308461?via%3Dihub

https://bmcmedicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12916-021-01977-8

** Always consult with a physician or healthcare practitioner with significant integrative or functional medicine training before starting any of the above recommendations.

Lipoprotein(a) Awareness Day

The Family Heart Foundation established Lipoprotein(a) Awareness Day to raise awareness worldwide of elevated Lipoprotein(a), also known as Lp(a).

This is something I am super passionate about, ask any of my patients. My mother had this genetic trait and following Covid in 2020 we found out my husband, Jason Ross has it also.

What is Lipoprotein(a)?

You’ll often see Lipoprotein(a) referred to as Lp(a), pronounced “L-P-little-A.”

It is an important genetic factor that increases the risk for both heart disease and stroke. Much like low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, Lp(a) carries cholesterol in the blood.

What does it mean to have high Lp(a)?

The first thing to know is that Lp(a) levels are genetically determined. You inherited your Lp(a) levels, and they are completely unrelated to diet and lifestyle choices.

You can find out your Lp(a) levels with a simple blood test.

If your Lp(a) level is greater than 18, you are positive for this genetic trait.

If you have high Lp(a), this is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. High levels of Lp(a) collect in your arteries, gradually narrowing them and limiting blood supply to the heart, brain, kidney, and legs.

The amount of Lp(a) in your body is determined by the genes you received at birth from your parents.

Lp(a) reaches its adult level by around age 5 and remains stable thereafter — except during acute illness and menopause, which can both cause Lp(a) to increase. Lp(a) levels are completely unrelated to your lifestyle.

Most of your General practitioners and Cardiologists do not pull this biomarker because usually insurance does not cover it and there isn’t any medications on the market, they are still doing trail runs.

Lp(a) is underrated

While most people know that low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-C, or "bad" cholesterol, can cause heart disease, relatively few people know about the potential risk posed by lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a). Yet it's estimated that up to 20% of people worldwide have high levels of Lp(a), which is associated with a person's risk of experiencing a heart attack or other serious cardiac event.1 Also referred to as "LP little a," this type of lipoprotein is comprised of an extra protein, called apolipoprotein(a) or apo(a), that is stickier than other types of LDL, so it may be more likely to cause blockages and blood clots in your arteries.5 As a result, high levels of Lp(a) may mean you are at a higher risk for heart disease, stroke, and other serious conditions related to blockages in your arteries.

The dangerous thing about Lp(a) is that it’s constantly producing soft plaque and soft plaque is unstable, which puts you at a dangerously high risk of a heart attack or stroke.

Jason and I flew out to San Diego to visit with the #1 Cardiologist/Lipidologist in the US, Dr. Tsimikas, MD, back in 2021 and I had already started Jason on a protocol to reduce his number. It all has to do with inflammation. So we began working on gut health, insulin resistance to reduce overall inflammation in his body. By the time we got to Dr. Tsimikas, 4 months after making our appt, I was able to reduce Jason’s Lp(a) from 270 to 110. Diet and lifestyle factors greatly regulate your risk factors for a heart attack or stroke.

Things you can do: 

• Know your numbers, get your bloodwork done. 
• Start an anti-inflammatory diet
• Cut out processed and fried foods
• Reduce alcohol intake
• Start a supplement protocol supporting your deficiencies

As always if you have any questions or if you are ready to get started call my office 251-949-2220

Email cindy@drcindyross.com or visit my website www.lifewellnessforever.com

TEA TODAY, OR CARDIOVASCULAR RISK TOMORROW?

If you want to reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke as you age, teatime can help.

According to new research from Edith Cowan

University, while it's no surprise flavonoids which are naturally occurring in black and green tea have many health benefits, they may pack even more of a punch. A study supported by The Heart Foundation showed that elderly women who consumed a high level of flavonoids in their diet were far less likely to have extensive build-up of abdominal aortic calcification (AAC). AAC is the calcification of the abdominal aorta--the largest artery in the body which supplies oxygenated blood from the heart to the abdominal organs and lower limbs- and is a predictor of cardiovascular risk such as heart attack and stroke. Next time Grandma puts the kettle on, tell her to make it tea for two. 

Heart Disease Awareness Month

February is Women’s Heart Disease Awareness month. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States. Every year, 1 in 4 deaths are caused by heart disease.

The good news? Heart disease can often be prevented when people make healthy choices and manage their health conditions. Check out the short video below for tips on how you can help prevent heart disease starting now!

4 Serious Obesity Effects

Guest post by Arnold Obat

Obesity is quickly becoming a serious health issue in the country. In fact, health officials warn that obesity, if it continues growing at the pace it’s growing with, will end up surpassing the likes of tobacco as a significant threat to health in the country in the coming years. The U.S. Surgeon General estimates that approximately 35% of women, 31% of men and 15% of children aged between 6 and 19 years old are considered overweight or obese. Also, medical experts in the country estimate that obesity-related conditions have caused more than 300,000premature deaths. Some of the obesity-related conditions will be covered in this post. In particular, this post will get to highlight 4 serious obesity effects.

N/B: If you are obese and need assistance on how to lose weight with a coach or on your own or even tips on what food to eat feel free to interact with us in the comment section below. You could also interact with us by dialing the following Bio-Identical Hormone MD contact number (251) 342-0505.

High Blood Pressure

If you are obese or overweight your body usually develops additional fatty tissues. These fatty tissues require nutrients and oxygen for survival and this need results in an increase in demand for these two precious products on your body. Given this new demand, blood vessels on your body increase the pace at which it circulates blood. This increase in blood circulation eventually leads to two things, an increase in the heart’s workload as it pumps more blood in order to support the increase in blood circulation and an increase in pressure exerted on artery walls. This pressure usually leads to an increase in blood pressure and ultimately high blood pressure.

Heart Disease

Information released by the American Heart Association indicates that around 600,000 people die each year in our country due to heart disease. This number, as high as it is, is not the only worrying factor when you bring up the topic of heart disease. According to American Heart Association, people with obesity have a higher risk of having heart diseases. In fact, if you happen to have severe obesity then you are at an even higher risk of having coronary artery disease. Issues such as irregular heartbeats, which triple the risk of cardiac arrest, blood clots, which can cause strokes, and narrow arteries, which can cause chest pains, tend to increase if you happen to be obese.

Poor Lung Function

Being obese or overweight pose a threat to your lungs as well. A 2010 study revealed that excess fat in your body and especially around your lungs tend to limit it’s functionality thus resulting in various complications in your body. In general poor lung function interferes with oxygen flow in your body and as result, a good number of your body’s blood vessels will not receive the right amount of oxygen they need. Sleep apnea, a condition that limits the amount of energy your body takes up, is also associated with poor lung function.

Type 2 Diabetes

Obesity is a major cause of type 2 diabetes. In fact, individuals who are overweight or obese are 10 times more likely to have type 2 diabetes. So what really happens? Well, if you are obese or overweight, your body is likely going to be resistant to insulin and as we all know, insulin helps in regulating blood sugar levels. This insulin resistance by your body ultimately ends up resulting in an elevated blood sugar levels. To make matters even worse, type 2 diabetes doubles the risk of death as it leads to heart diseases, stroke, impotence, kidney disease, circulatory and nerve defects and it can even cause blindness.

There you have it, 4 serious obesity effects you should know about. Given the impact of these effects, it is important to ensure that you watch what you eat so that you won’t become obese or overweight. If you are already obese, feel free to interact with us on the comment section below or give us a call at (251) 342-0505 and one of our representatives will help you with every question you might have.   

 

Fat to Fit Radio Show with Cindy Lane Ross & Larisa Dixon- Recap of 8-16-14 talking about Diabetes

Hey guys we hope you enjoyed the show this morning on News Talk Radio 710AM. On the show we talked about how diabetes has affected our families personally.

From Larisa...
I wanted to personally say how absolutely wonderful it was to hear the news that Cindy's dad had pulled through his triple bypass on Wednesday.
If you guys missed the show, Cindy shared with us that this past weekend her dads blood sugar had bottomed out while he was with a friend at the casinos in Mississippi. He actually ended up basically dying for about 4 minutes. However the quick response from the casino and ambulance workers they were able to bring him back. Then they were told he was in a coma and would more than likely remain in a vegetative state. Cindy and her brother made the decision to transfer him back to Mobile to be closer to family. Not to long after she received a call from her brother that her dad had started responding to touch and commands. CRAZY! He was transferred to Providence Hospital here in Mobile where they discovered his heart was severely blocked. So he underwent a triple bypass and the next day he looked like this...

Step Out With Us!
Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes is the ADA’s signature fundraising walk. The event has been taking place for more than 20 years and has raised more than $175,000,000 to Stop Diabetes! Walk day is a huge celebration of the fundraising efforts YOU put into this event. Step Out is filled with music, food, kids activities, local entertainment and most importantly, the company of hundreds of people who truly understand the impact of diabetes.
Check back often for updates on the Step Out Walk! We will be supplying important information including fundraising ideas, kickoff event details and walk day specifics.
- See more at: http://stepout.diabetes.org/site/TR?pg=informational&fr_id=9858&type=fr_informational&sid=18590#sthash.GRcjOETi.dpuf

The power of prayer and the will to live is an amazing thing.

I personally lost my dad in 1997 due to complications of diabetes. At the time of his death he had had a kidney transplant, lost both legs and 8.5 fingers. Had numerous laser eye surgeries and cataract surgeries. Among many other things, he was 50 years old. My dad was not old when he passed. He had the will to live and he lived everyday like it was his last.

So back to the show...
We talked to Carole Grant with the American Diabetes Association here in Mobile on the show. She talked about the upcoming Step Out:Walk to Stop Diabetes coming up on October 11th. The walk will be at The University Of South Alabama Moulten Bell Tower.

 

The STEP OUT Walk to STOP DIABETES has been going on for 20 years and has raised more than $175,000,000 in that time. CLICK HERE to find the date of your local STEP OUT walk. 
Walk day is a huge celebration of the fundraising efforts YOU put into this event. Step Out is filled with music, food, kids activities, local entertainment and most importantly, the company of hundreds of people who truly understand the impact of diabetes.

We hope all of you local peeps will join The Fat to Fit Radio Show on October 11th at USA to walk and show our support for this wonderful charity. Bring the kids, your friends, and family members out for a fun day of music, food, kids activities, and most of all to show support by lacing up your walking shoes and supporting a great cause. Lets help raise as much money as we can to hopefully one day find a cure.
                                                                                                                                                         

Here is a chart kind of explaining the difference in Type 1, Type2, and Gestational Diabetes...

If you think you may have diabetes and just really aren't sure, here are some classic signs...

Please make an appointment with a doctor if you feel like you may have experienced these classic signs.

My husband (Larisa) was diagnosed at 5 yrs old. His mom and dad noticed he urinating a lot, so they took him to the pediatrician and they diagnosed him with Type 1 diabetes. At the age of 32 he now wears an insulin pump. The pump has really given him the freedom he didn't have before. If you have diabetes, I would def look into it.

We also gave you some tips on running with diabetes, here are the eight tips from The Joslin Diabetes Center

Eight Tips for Running with Diabetes

“Walking is for everyone and provides tremendous health benefits,” says Michael See, M.S., R.C.E.P., a clinical exercise physiologist at Joslin. “Jogging is a great form of exercise for individuals who prefer to participate in a more vigorous exercise program,” he adds. The following are his tips to get the benefits of a healthy running program:
1. Get your doctor’s clearance. People with diabetes should consult their health care providers if they want to go beyond purposeful walking, to make sure that they are not at risk for cardiovascular, orthopedic or other problems.
2. Walk before you run. Go from walking to running in a gradual process. Begin with purposeful walking (for half an hour or so), then combine walking and jogging, and then increase the jogging.
3. Wear the right footwear. Consult with an expert when you buy the shoes. Make sure that they fit well and are appropriate for running.
4. Dress appropriately. Dress in layers; wear absorbent materials close to skin to wick away perspiration and an outer layer to protect you from the wind and other elements. Wear a reflective vest if you’re out at night.
5. Find a partner or role model. Look in your community for running groups or clubs. Invite your neighbor or colleague to join together during lunch. If you’re interested in going the distance and even maybe running a marathon, pair up with someone who has done it.
6. Keep a goal in mind. You may want to set your sights on an event such as a five-kilometer road race for charity.
7. Have a plan for managing your diabetes. Measure your blood sugar before and after the activity (and during it, if needed). Carry juice, a sports drink, a piece of fruit or glucose tablets. Keep a training log, recording your miles and your blood glucose readings.
8. Listen to your body. Starting gradually and being consistent are the secrets to improving your health and fitness, avoiding injury and managing your blood sugar levels.

We hope that you guys enjoyed a more serious show. Diabetes is everywhere. Everyone knows someone that has or will have Diabetes in their life. Lets make a difference.

Thanks again for all of your support for the show. We would love to hear from you. Check out the @FattoFitRadio website HERE!