HealthSentinel.comAn elevated blood homocysteine level is a strong risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Homocysteine is a toxic waste product produced during metabolism of an amino acid called methionine. Diets high in meat and dairy generate excess methionine, which is converted by the body into homocysteine.

Folic acid and other B vitamins help break down homocysteine in the body. Studies have shown that higher blood levels of B vitamins are related to lower concentrations of homocysteine, and additional evidence demonstrates that low blood levels of folic acid are linked with an increased risk of fatal heart attack and stroke. An elevated blood homocysteine level is a strong risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Homocysteine is a toxic waste product produced during metabolism of an amino acid called methionine. Diets high in meat and dairy generate excess methionine, which is converted by the body into homocysteine.

Folic acid and other B vitamins help break down homocysteine in the body. Studies have shown that higher blood levels of B vitamins are related to lower concentrations of homocysteine, and additional evidence demonstrates that low blood levels of folic acid are linked with an increased risk of fatal heart attack and stroke. In conclusion, the authors found that, %u201Cvitamin B12 deficiency is surprisingly common among patients with vascular disease.%u201D The %u201Cstriking%u201D inverse relationship between vitamin B12 and homocysteine %u201Csuggests a key role for vitamin B12 in the treatment of elevated homocysteine levels for vascular disease.%u201D