Category: Amino acids

Antioxidants & L-Arginine Help Pregnant Mothers with Pre-Eclampsia

 

Pregnant woman
image via www.nationalchildrensstudy.gov

Antioxidants have been found to successfully treat yet another medical condition: pre-eclampsia, a condition experienced by 5% of pregnant women that is marked by abnormally high blood pressure.

 

According to a study published in the British Medical Journal, taking a dietary supplement containing an amino acid and antioxidant vitamins significantly reduced pregnant women’s chances of developing pre-eclampsia.

A trial involving 228 women at high risk of pre-eclampsia were given either a food bar containing the amino acid L-arginine and antioxidant vitamins or a bar containing only vitamins or a placebo food bar.  Results showed that only 12.7% of women taking the amino acid-antioxidant supplements developed pre-eclampsia.  This was compared to 22.5% who received antioxidants and 30.2% who received the placebo.

Researchers are now wondering how L-arginine and antioxidants work together and whether there are any contraindications to this natural therapy.

Source: Science Daily

Fight Macular Degeneration By Eating Fish, Eggs, Walnuts, Omega-3

Add: Eggs | Walnuts  | Omega-3 | Fatty Fish | Other Nutrients
Limit: Refined Carbohydrates | Red Meat

Introduction

The pigments in the macula of the eye are predominantly composed of three carotenoids: lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin.

Researchers report that these pigments, called  xanthophylls, act as both filters and antioxidants and how they protect the eye from the onset of macular degeneration. Evidence suggests that increased levels of macular pigment are related to a decreased risk of age-related macular degeneration. Previous studies reveal that oral supplementation with lutein and zeaxanthin can increase the levels of macular pigments in the retina and plasma.

Eggs

Macular xanthophylls, described above, are made of the same compounds that cause egg yolks to be yellow too.  Eating eggs (preferably organic from free-range chickens) can actually help decrease your chances of developing the potentially blinding macular degeneration.

An egg a day can protect people over age 60 from developing macular degeneration.  A study published in the Journal of Nutrition the levels of powerful antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin in participants’ blood increased between 26 and 38% if they ate one egg per day.

The single egg did not contribute to participants’ cholesterol levels.

Walnuts

A new study examined how walnuts can increase the plasma antioxidant capacity of healthy adults.  Study authors did not find any measurable increases, but they believe that further study is warranted.

They did find that levels of important compounds, the fatty acid linoleic acid and pyridoxal phosphate (vitamin B6), did increase over the course of the 19 week study, and these nutrients have been helpful in preventing eye disease.

Source: Nutrition Journal

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

A meta analysis study about the relationship between omega-3 fatty acids, consumption of fish  and their effect on the age-related macular degeneration risk identified 274 abstracts, and 9 other studies.

Researchers quantitatively determined that  high consumption of  omega-3 fatty acids in the diet was connected with  38% lower  risk of advanced macular degeneration. Consumption of fish at least 2 times a week was tied to lower risk of both early and late AMD.

Source: Archives of Ophthalmology. 2008;126(6):826-833.

A later study of over 38,000 women over a 10 year period (from dietary questionnaires) supports this finding: that consumption of omega-3 fatty acids decreases the likelihood of developing macular degeneration: that the regular intake of omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA, which are most commonly found in fish, can help reduce macular degeneration risk by up to 45%.

Published: Archives of Ophthalmology, 2009

Fatty Fish

Still another study has determined that eating fatty fish more than once a month is connected to 60 percent lower risk of developing AMD.

A key finding in this study was the positive effect of fatty fish consumption (white fish intake was not significantly associated with AMD). Fatty fish included in this study were both fatty “blue” fish (fresh tuna, canned tuna without oil, mackerel, sardine, salmon) and fatty fish canned in oil (tuna, sardine, anchovy).

This population-based study from southern France reviewed nutritional data from a dietician-administered food-frequency questionnaire to assess the associations of dietary fat with the risk of AMD. AMD was classified from retinal photographs using the international classification and included neovascular age-related macular degeneration, geographic atrophy, soft indistinct drusen, and soft distinct drusen associated with pigmentary abnormalities.

Results of dietary fat analysis showed that high total, saturated, and monounsaturated fat intake were linked to increased risk for AMD, while total polyunsaturated fatty acid was not significantly associated with AMD. Review of fish intake showed that total and white fish intake was not significantly associated with AMD, but intake of fatty fish more than once a month was associated with a 60% reduction in AMD.

Source: Dietary fat and the risk of age-related maculopathy: the POLANUT Study.

Eur J Clin Nutr. 2007 Feb 14; Inserm, Research Unit U593 for Epidemiology, Public Health and Development, Bordeaux, France, Universite Victor Segalen Bordeaux 2, Bordeaux, France.

Fish in US Government Diet Guidelines

The  US government’s Dietary Guidelines have put a lot more fish on the recommended table.

They recommend that we eat 8 ounces a week (2 4-ounce servings).  Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding should have 12 ounces.

The real benefit of increasing our fish and shellfish intake is in the omega-3 fatty acids that are abundant in seafood.  As research has shown, omega-3’s are key to helping us fight the potentially blinding disease macular degeneration.

Mercury in larger fish is a concern, especially for women in their child-bearing years.  It is recommended that women who are pregnant or may become pregnant steer clear of tilefish, shark, swordfish and king mackerel (also known as golden bass).  Different sources vary on the safety of tuna; some sources say it is safe to eat a maximum of 6 ounces of canned tuna per week.

Carotenoids

Even more important are the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin, which are primarily obtained from dark green leafy vegetables. Research shows that risk of AMD was significantly lower in those who increased the carotenoids in their diet – up to 43%. So, eat your spinach and your kale and your collards and consider supplementing your diet further to really protect yourself from macular degeneration.

Taurine

Research shows that the amino acid taurine has the ability to prevent, treat and stabilize retinal changes in some cases. Eggs and fish are good sources of taurine, but you can also take it in supplement form.

An important note: taurine should be taken on an empty stomach.

Antioxidants and Omega-3

Antioxidant and omega-3 supplements continue to be a simple, low-cost, effective therapy for AMD.

A study designed to measure changes in visual function in subjects with atrophic (dry) age-related macular degeneration (AMD) found that three-quarters of the subjects receiving a nutritional supplement demonstrated stabilization or improvement of visual acuity at 6 months.

Many research studies have indication that nutrition can play an important role in slowing the onset or limiting the AMD effects.  The Taurine, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Zinc, Antioxidant, Lutein (TOZAL) study tried to identify the possible benefits of a supplement formulated to limit AMD risk.

Researchers in this clinical study evaluated the vision of 37 patients average age 76 years,  and gave them a nutritional supplement specifically designed to combat AMD.   The product included natural beta-carotene, vitamins A and E, zinc, and copper.   Results were compared to subjects in other tests who had received placebos. 76.7% of subjects receiving the nutritional supplement demonstrated stabilization or improvement of visual acuity at 6 months.  This was a very small study not using its own controls, but some correlation is still suggested.

SOURCE:  TOZAL Study: An open case control study of an oral antioxidant and omega-3 supplement for dry AMD, Cangemi, BMC Ophthalmology 2007, 7:3doi:10.1186/1471-2415-7-3.

Other Nutrients

Not only lutein, zeaxanthin, taurine and omega-3 fatty acids, but lycopene, vitamins A and E, zinc, copper, betacarotene, selenium, as well as gingko biloba for circulation, bilberry and glutathione may be helpful for macular degeneration.

 

Limiting Refined Carbohydrates

Limiting refined carbohydrates in one’s diet may slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration, according to a recent study a research center supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The study supports findings that suggest men and women over the age of 55 who consume diets of higher-than-average Dietary Glycemic Index foods have an increased risk of AMD.

The Dietary Glycemic Index indicates the speed at which carbohydrates are metabolized into glucose. Foods that are high on the glycemic index are associated with a faster rise (and subsequent fall) in blood sugar levels than those that are low on the glycemic index.

In the study, investigators analyzed dietary questionnaires of 4,757 non-diabetic men and women participating in the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) – a nationwide eight-year study of men and women from 55 to 80 years of age, experiencing varying stages of macular degeneration.

The study examined participants’ carbohydrate intake over a one year period to calculate the average dietary glycemic index level of foods eaten by the participants.

The researchers concluded that the those who have the largest amount of refined carbohydrates in their diet were 17% more likely to develop macular degeneration than the group that consumed the least amount of refined carbohydrates.

Refined carbohydrates refer to foods with their high-fiber components – the bran and the germ – removed. Examples include:  white rice, bread and pasta, sugary cereals.

Unrefined carbohydrates contain the whole grain, including the bran and the germ, and are therefore higher in fiber such as whole-grain rice, breads, wheat, oatmeal, and pasta.

The conclusion is that it is wise to limit refined carbohydrates in your diet, especially if you are elderly and/or have other risk factors for development of macular degeneration.  Doing so could reduce the  lower the  incidence of advanced macular degeneration cases by 8% over a five year period.

Source: Chiu CJ, Milton RC, Klein R, et al. Dietary carbohydrate and the progression of age-related macular degeneration: A prospective study from the Age-Related Eye Disease Study. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2007;86(4):1210-8.

Researchers:  Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging of Tufts University

Study 2

Scientists at the Laboratory for Nutrition and Vision Research have substantiated  that the regular consumption of specific “protective nutrients” in conjunction with  a low-glycemic-index, or “slow carb,” diet protected study participants from age-related macular degeneration.

Source: https://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2010/100701.htm

Study 3

Scientists have long known that our diets influence our risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).  High glycemic-index diets have now been identified as a risk factor for AMD by researchers from the University of Sydney and the University of Melbourne in Australia, and the National University of Singapore.

The glycemic index (GI) is a measure of the effects of carbohydrates on blood glucose levels.  Carbohydrates that break down rapidly during digestion releasing glucose rapidly into the bloodstream have a high GI; carbohydrates that break down slowly, releasing glucose gradually into the bloodstream, have a low GI.

Scientists examined the association between the dietary glycemic index and the incidence of AMD in the Blue Mountain Eye Study population.

During 1992–1994, 3654 people aged 49 years or older attended baseline examinations.  Of these, 2335 patients were reexamined after 5 years and 1952 were examined again after 10 years.  At each examination, lens photography was performed and food-frequency questionnaires were administered.  An Australian database was used to calculate the mean glycemic index.

Over 10 years, 208 of 1810 participants developed early AMD. After adjusting for age, smoking, and other risk factors, a higher mean dietary glycemic index was associated with an increased risk of early AMD.

Conversely, a greater consumption of predominantly lower glycemic index foods was associated with a reduced risk of incident early AMD. No relation was observed with late AMD.

Researchers concluded that a high-glycemic-index diet is a risk factor for early AMD, but they also noted that low glycemic-index foods such as oatmeal may protect against early AMD.

Learn more about the glycemic index and use a free GI database to find the GI index of your favorite carbohydrates at this University of Sydney Glycemic Index web site

SOURCE:  Kaushik, et al, Dietary glycemic index and the risk of age-related macular degeneration,  American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 88, No. 4, 1104-1110, October 2008.

Limit Red Meat

A new study indicates that a red-meat heavy  diet may increase the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration.

In a study of more than 6,700 people aged 58 to 69, researchers assessed relationships between consumption of red meat and chicken and AMD by looking at food frequency questionnaires. The researchers took digital photographs of the patients’ maculas and evaluated them for the presence of macular degeneration.  In the study group, nearly 1700 patients had  early AMD, and 77 had advanced AMD.

It was discovered that participants who ate 10 or more portions of red meat each week were nearly 50 percent more likely to experience deterioration of the retina.  Participants who consumed chicken at least three times a week reduced the risk by more than 50 percent.

Source:  “Red Meat and Chicken Consumption and Its Association With Age-related Macular Degeneration”, Chong, et al, American Journal of Epidemiology 2009 169(7):867-876.

Researchers: University of Melbourne in Australia

Add: Eggs | Walnuts  | Omega-3 | Fatty Fish | Other Nutrients
Limit: Refined Carbohydrates | Red Meat

 

Elevated Cysteine Levels May Be Important Indicator for Future Heart Disease

In a study of more than 1,200 people undergoing cardiac imaging at Emory because of suspected heart disease, people with high levels of cysteine in the blood were twice as likely to have a heart attack or die over the next few years.

In a study of more than 1,200 people undergoing cardiac imaging at Emory because of suspected heart disease, people with high levels of cysteine in the blood were twice as likely to have a heart attack or die over the next few years.

Cysteine could be a valuable marker of cardiovascular risk, but it also has a direct harmful effect on cells, so reducing it may be a valuable treatment strategy, according to researchers.

Cysteine is itself a short-lived precursor to glutathione, one of the main antioxidants found inside cells. We need to have a continuous supply of cysteine, but it is too reactive for us to have very much at any one time.

Smoking and alcohol consumption are also linked with higher levels of oxidized cysteine.

Editor’s Notes: Current research is showing other indicators to be much more accurate in predicting future heart disease than cholesterol levels including C-Reactive Protein levels, Homocysteine levels and possibly now oxidized cysteine levels.

See more information on nutrition and heart disease.

Alzheimer’s Risk: Diet, Muscle Power, Maternal Family

People who ranked in the top 10 percent for muscle strength were 61 percent less likely to develop Alzheimer’s than the weakest 10 percent. Stronger people also showed a slower decline in their mental abilities over time.

Older people with stronger muscles are at reduced risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease compared to their weaker peers, a new study shows.

Alzheimer’s & Muscle Power

Dr. Patricia A. Boyle of Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center in Chicago and her colleagues found that the greater a person’s muscle strength, the lower their likelihood of being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s over a four-year period. The same was true for the loss of mental function that often precedes full-blown Alzheimer’s. People who ranked in the top 10 percent for muscle strength were 61 percent less likely to develop Alzheimer’s than the weakest 10 percent. Stronger people also showed a slower decline in their mental abilities over time. SOURCE: Archives of Neurology, November 2009.

Maternal Family Genetic Inheritance

It is well known that Alzheimer’s disease runs in families, but researchers have found that it may be inherited through the maternal genes. According to a study published in Biological Psychiatry the measure of a protein called amyloid is a marker for Alzheimer’s.   Adult children of mother’s with the disease have a greater amount of this protein in their brains.  It is hoped that the identification of genetic risk factors will help them to develop future therapies for the disease.  Source: https://scienceblog.com/40208/where-did-you-get-those-eyes-and-that-brain/

Alzheimer’s & Diet

An article published online on June 2, 2010 in FASEB Journal reports the discovery of Temple University researchers of the benefit of a low methionine diet in slowing or reversing early to moderate stage Alzheimer’s disease in an animal model.

Methionine is an essential amino acid that occurs in relatively high amounts in red meat, fish, eggs and other foods. A byproduct of methionine metabolism is homocysteine, another amino acid that has been linked to an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease as well as cardiovascular disease when elevated.

Ref: www.fasebj.org

Alzheimer’s & Mediterranean Diet

A large study of older adults found a reduced dementia risk associated with the Mediterranean diet. The Mediterranean diet provides higher amounts of omega-3 fatty acids than the Western diet. Omega-3 fatty acids have been associated with a protective effect on the brain and brain functioning.

The study was published in the April 30, 2013 issue of the journal Neurology. It looked at 17,478 Caucasian and African American participants who were in a study about strokes called “Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS).” These participants had not had a stroke or cognitive impairment when they started in the study.

When analyzing the questionnaires about diet, the researchers checked to see how closely each participant’s resembled the a Mediterranean diet. This diet includes plenty of fruits and vegetables, plus legumes, olive oil, nuts, and fish.

The results showed that subjects whose diets were closest to the Mediterranean diet had an 11% lowered risk of cognitive impairment.  This risk was lowered even more in people who were not diabetic: 19% lower incidence of cognitive impairment versus nondiabetics who did not adhere to the Mediterranean diet.

“Since there are no definitive treatments for most dementing illnesses, modifiable activities, such as diet, that may delay the onset of symptoms of dementia are very important,” stated lead author Georgios Tsivgoulis, MD, of the University of Athens in Greece. “Diet is an important modifiable activity that could help in preserving cognitive functioning in late life. However, it is only one of several important lifestyle activities that might play a role in late-life mental functioning. Exercise, avoiding obesity, not smoking cigarettes and taking medications for conditions like diabetes and hypertension are also important.”

At Natural Eye Care, we emphasize nutrition as an important way to prevent health issues. Learn more about Alzheimer’s Disease/Dementia.

Study: Adherence to a Mediterranean diet and risk of incident cognitive impairment by Georgios Tsivgoulis, MD et. al. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0b013e3182904f69 Neurology April 30, 2013 vol. 80 no. 18 1684-1692 https://www.neurology.org/content/80/18/1684.abstract

Mini-Strokes May Cause Vision Loss for Those with Normal Tension Glaucoma

The Hong Kong study of 286 people with normal-tension glaucoma found a high incidence of silent cerebral infarcts among those whose loss of vision progressed more rapidly. The finding is in the July issue of Ophthalmology.

A study of people who suffer the mini-strokes called silent cerebral infarcts could help explain the medical mystery of normal-tension glaucoma, Hong Kong ophthalmologists report.

The Hong Kong study of 286 people with normal-tension glaucoma found a high incidence of silent cerebral infarcts among those whose loss of vision progressed more rapidly. The finding is in the July issue of Ophthalmology.

Editor’s Note: Although the traditional approach to managing normal tension glaucoma is to lower intraocular pressure with glaucoma medications, the reason for the actual vision loss it still not known. This study may offer some insight into this vision loss.

We have long subscribed to the idea the vision loss for people with normal tension glaucoma is at least partially due to poor circulation to the optic nerve, and that taking nutrients and herbs that help strengthen circulation to the optic nerve and help fortify the optic nerve can help preserve vision.

Such nutrients include gingko biloba, taurine, vitamin B12, alpha lipoic acid, bilberry, lutein, zeaxanthin, grapeseed extract and omega-3 fatty acids.

For more related information, see Natural Eye Care for Glaucoma.

Vitamin B and Folic Acid May Lower Risk of AMD

B & Folic Acid | B6, B12 & Folic Acid | Homocysteine

Vitamin B & Folic Acid

A team of Harvard researchers found that women who took a combination of folic acid and vitamins B6 and B12 had a 35% to 40% lower risk of developing age related macular degeneration (AMD) than women who took a placebo.

A group of 5442 female health care professionals 40 years or older (of whom 5205 did not have a diagnosis of AMD at the beginning of the study) received either a combination of folic acid/B6/B12 or a placebo.

After more than seven years of treatment and follow-up, 137 women were diagnosed with AMD.  Of these 137:

  • 55 had been taking the supplements; 82 had been taking the placebo.
  • 70 had ‘visually significant AMD’, including 26 who had been taking the supplements and 44 who had been taking the placebo.

Researchers concluded that daily supplementation with folic acid, pyridoxine (vitamin B6), and cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12) may reduce the risk of AMD.

Published:  “Folic Acid, Pyridoxine, and Cyanocobalamin Combination Treatment and Age-Related Macular Degeneration in Women”, Christen et al, Arch Intern Med. 2009;169(4):335-341.

Folic Acid, Vitamins B6 & B12

Researchers reviewed data from the “Women’s Antioxidant and Folic Acid Cardiovascular Study,” looking specifically at vision information. They found that supplementation with a combination of folic acid, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 lowered the risk of age related macular degeneration in women who also have cardiovascular disease.

Scientists have known that these 3 B family vitamins reduce high homocysteine levels, a risk factor for conditions of the vascular system, including advanced macular degeneration.

The study looked at data for over 8,000 age 40 or older female medical professionals  who had been diagnosed with cardiovascular disease or who had a minimum of 3 risk factors for development of macular degeneration.  In a secondary trial they randomly received vitamin C daily, vitamin E every other day, and beta-carotene (every other day) or a placebo.

About 5,400 of these women were part of a later trial in which they received a placebo or a combination of folic acid, vitamins B6 and B12 or a placebo daily.  About 200 of these women had previously been diagnosed with macular degeneration.  Results were both self-reported, confirmed by medical records, and diagnosed as macular degeneration with vision reduced to 20/30 or lower due to the condition.

The researchers determined that 137 macular degeneration cases occurred over approximately 7 years of treatment and followup. There were 55 incidences in the group receiving treatment and 82 occurences in the placebo group.  The results for patients with macular degeneration and 20/30 or worse vision loss, there were 26 incidences in the B vitamins sub-group, and 43 cases in the placebo sub-group.

The researchers determined that women who take supplement B vitamins are 34 percent less likely to experience macular degeneration, and 40 percent less likely to experience vision loss as a result.

The researchers noted that although high doses of  B vitamins were tested, lower doses may well have been effective.  Another study looking at cardiovascular disease found that homocysteine decrease if proportional to the dose of folic acid only up to 800 mcg daily while excessive amounts of folic acid have been tied to colorectal tumors.

Researchers: Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the National Eye Institute

References :
Christen WG, et al. Folic acid plus B-vitamins and age-related macular degeneration in a randomized trial in women. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science 48:E-abstract 1152, ARVO, 2007.
Wald DS, et al. Randomized trial of folic acid supplementation and serum homocysteine levels. Archives of Internal Medicine 161:695-700, 2001.

Homocysteine

Homocysteine, an amino acid believed to contribute to heart attack, stroke and dementia, may also play a role in retinal damage and vision loss.  Homocysteine levels rise when folic acid levels drop, a common problem for Americans whose diets are often poor in folate-rich fruits, tomatoes, vegetables and grains.

Researchers are looking at homocysteine levels upon the retina to find out exactly what happens in this vast and delicate network.  Looking at retina photos, one can see that the structure of the retina is damaged significantly in patients with high levels of homocysteine.

Folic acid and vitamin B12 convert homocysteine to methionine, an amino acid essential to protein synthesis.  People need only about 1 mcg  of vitamin B12 daily.  The source of B12 is microorganisms that are common in the gastrointestinal system of animals. Strict vegetarians are typically the only Americans who have problems with B12 deficiency, he says. People need about 400 micrograms of folic acid daily. Pregnant women as well as those trying to become pregnant need at least double that.

Researchers are investigating several mice models and will control their diets to raise and lower folic acid levels to see what happens to homocysteine and the retina:

  • a model  with slightly raised homocysteine levels that behave like a human diet deficient in folic acid –  this model that also has diabetes, which goes along with cardiovascular disease and diabetic retinopathy;
  • a model of the rare genetic defect that results in extraordinarily high homocysteine levels.

The scientists believe that continual raised homocysteine levels will damage the normal functioning of the retina and degrade the retinal tissue, a situation that is worsened by diabetes.

Researchers: Dr. Sylvia Smith, cell biologist, and Dr. Vadivel Ganapathy, Chair, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia

Published:  Medical College of Georgia, “Impact of elevated homocysteine levels on vision under study,” Oct. 15, 2007.

B & Folic Acid | B6, B12 & Folic Acid | Homocysteine

 

Increased Homocysteine Levels in Tear Fluid of Glaucoma Patients

A research study shows that people with open-angle glaucoma (OAG) had significantly higher levels of homocysteine (Hcy) levels in their tear fluids. Patients with open-angle glaucoma who also had dry eye disease had significantly higher Hcy levels both in tear fluid and plasma than OAG patients without dry eye disease.

SOURCE: Roedl JB, Bleich S, Schlotzer-Schrehardt U, et al. Increased homocysteine levels in tear fluid of patients with primary open-angle glaucoma. Ophthalmic Res 2008;40(5):249-56

Editor’s Note: People with elevated homocysteine levels are more likely to have strokes, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, kidney disease, diseases of the eye, erectile dysfunction, and, especially, heart disease (De Bree A et al 2002).

Homocysteine level is affected by a number of influences, including lifestyle, dietary choices, and genetics. As we age, our ability to absorb nutrients decreases. As a result, less of the important B vitamins are available to help metabolize homocysteine. Homocysteine level is also increased by certain pharmaceuticals, an aging metabolism, smoking, drinking too much alcohol or coffee, lack of exercise, obesity, and stress.

Supplementation of certain B vitamins can help reduce homocysteine levels including folic acid, and Vitamins B6 amd B12. To varying degrees, folic acid and vitamin B12 increase the remethylation of homocysteine back into SAMe. Vitamin B6 is necessary for the conversion of homocysteine into glutathione along the transsulfuration pathway.