Homocysteine and Heart Health: What This Little Molecule Means for Your Wellbeing

Photo by pijarn from PxHere

Hello, pals. Permit me to use this great opportunity to present to you all a tiny molecule that resides in our bloodstream and causes a serious threat when it gets levelled up. I believe some of you will be knowing about this today, and that's not a surprise at all.

It all started when I was reading an article on stroke. I came across a word called "homocysteine" under the section of things which could cause stroke, which are the risk factors of stroke. From the article, I learnt that homocysteine can contribute to what causes stroke. Although not unfamiliar with this word in particular because I have come across it while reading about the metabolism of methionine. Out of curiosity, I decided to do more research on how homocysteine really contributes to stroke. And at the end, the findings have become the centre of this article. So we are going to delve into this and unfold how homocysteine has actually contributed to stroke by influencing the cardiovascular system.

What is Homocysteine

To someone who is seeing this word for the first time, it might sound like one of those complicated scientific languages used by the doctors or scientists. So I will start by defining what the subject matter is.
Homocysteine is an amino acid that comes naturally as a byproduc from methionine when broken down by the body. It is then released into the bloodstream as a very tiny molecule after eating a protein-rich food. Even though a tiny, homocysteine is proven to have a connection to our overall health, especially with the heart and blood vessels

As the circulation of the new homocysteine begins, our cells either convert these byproducts into cysteine, which is another family of amino acids, or back into methionine with the help of the following substances: vitamins B6 and B12. These important substances regulate the amount of homocysteine in the bloodstream, making sure these molecules do not pile up.

You may be prompted to ask why these conversions matter. But the truth is this: when homocysteine increases to a level known as hyperhomocysteinemia, that becomes a problem. Increased levels of homocysteine in the blood are dangerous to the lining of the blood vessels. They damage the blood vessels over time, resulting in the buildup of plaques, which are deposits of fat. The fatty buildup, also known as atherosclerosis, tends to narrow the arteries and promote the formation of blood clots. Since the arteries are narrowed, there is a consequent reduction in blood flow, leading potentially to heart attacks or strokes, which have been recorded as the leading cause of death not only worldwide but also in Nigeria and many African countries.

The most interesting thing about hyperhomocysteine is that it doesn't really show any obvious symptoms. The reason is that someone with this condition may feel perfectly fine while the homocysteine is silently advancing its damage in the blood vessels. This is why we need to educate ourselves on factors which can push the level of homocysteine up. Diets poor in vitamins B are registered already as a common culprit that increases this molecule in the bloodstream. Others include foods lacking green leaves, beans, whole grains or animal products rich in vitamin B12. Also, it is important to note that genetics, smoking, kidney issues and some medications can contribute to the increase of homocysteine levels.

Personally, I have read somewhere that an undefined cardiovascular problem can be due to a deficiency in vitamins responsible for regulating the amount of homocysteine in the blood. For instance, a blood test showing a high level of homocysteine can suggest a low level of B6, B12, and folate. Although with a proper supplement of vitamins, this surge can be corrected and improved significantly.

The most important thing here is that the level of homocysteine can be regulated. And this is achieved through lifestyle, diet and supplementation most times. Those that have a high reading of this molecule are managed professionally by the supplement of vitamin B to bring the level down. If you actually want to maintain a healthy level of homocysteine, then be sure to eat foods which are rich in folate; such foods include spinach, beans and fortified cereals with other sources of vitamin B6, like poultry, fish and eggs. These help to maintain and manage the level of homocysteine molecules. Again, you should keep away from smoking and control high blood pressure or diabetes, as these make the heart safer.

Research trending recently shows that increased levels of homocysteine are capable of causing cognitive decline and mental issues such as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Although this is currently being explored, potential connections that result to this neuro issue are neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, impairment of neurotransmitter synthesis and some direct toxic effects on the neurones. This has suggested that homocysteine can affect other systems of the body which are not the cardiovascular system.

Now, you can agree with me that this tiny molecule isn't just a simple chemical floating in the bloodstream. It shows that homocysteine can influence our health if care is not taken. Hence, it has become imperative to spread awareness so that people will get to know the relationship between nutrition, lifestyle and heart health. We all need to understand these connections because it will empower us to make good decisions that will protect our wellbeing in so many ways.

Knowledge about these factors, like homocysteine, should be spread, especially in areas where there is a high prevalence of cardiovascular diseases, such as Nigeria and across Africa. This will spark early interventions and encourage regular check-ups, particularly in families with histories or other risk factors. This knowledge will help bridge the gap between complex science, which can be intimidating, and some of the decisions we make. For instance, knowing that a simple shift in diet or habits can help prevent serious health challenges.

With the right information and adequate knowledge about what we ate, we should be able to take good care of our health.

References

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homocysteine
2. https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/homocysteine-test/
3. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/homocysteine-levels
4. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/21527-homocysteine
5. https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content?ContentTypeID=167&ContentID=homocysteine
6. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8581606/