Nutrition Information

Homocysteinemia and Coronary Artery Disease - Homocysteine Lowering Therapy

by Hratch L Karamanoukian, MD and Ravi U Pande, MD
Posted: February 27

Vitamins can lower blood homocysteine levels in most individuals over a course of 2-8 weeks.

Dietary folic acid (1 mg/day) reduces blood homocysteine levels by 25%. Vitamin B12 is less effective and reduces homocysteine levels by approximately 6-8%. Vitamin B6 has little effect on homocysteine levels.

A well balanced diet is recommeded for those with high homocysteine levels, including vegetables, citrus fruits and cereal.

Fortified foods with folic acid or B12 should be consumed as well. If this is not possible, folic acid supplements or multivitamins containg B12 and folic acid should suffice.

Reference:
Excerpt from the book: Everything Is Bad For Your Heart: The A to Z Guide, Hratch L Karamanoukian, MD and Pierre Aoukar, MD. Magalhaes Scientific Press

Date of Article Publication:
in press

Web Site: http://www.diagnosisheart.com