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Homocysteine is a predictive biomarker for cardiovascular health.
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This is our second interview in a series of eight predictive biomarker tests with Dr. Russell Jaffe. Our previous interview covered Hemoglobin A1c. There are six more to go. These eight predictive biomarker test enable you to measure, evaluate and change the status of those biomarkers. It is then possible to change the status of one’s health, sometimes dramatically. Predictive biomarkers provides a roadmap for you to focus on.
When it comes to nutrition, stop thinking in terms of disease. Nutrition does not treat disease. Nutrition nourishes the body. And when nourishing the body you must provide high quality foods and supplements to achieve the best outcomes. Predictive biomarker tests reveal what you nutrients you need to consider. After each of these interviews with Dr. Jaffe, you will have a great foundation to consider the value of these tests for yourself.
In this interview Dr. Jaffe will discuss homocysteine. Even though I have known for decades of homecysteine as a cardiovascular risk, I admit I never quite understood the connection. So I am learning along with you the significance of homocysteine in human nutrition. The bottom line takeaway is that as your homocysteine levels increase, your odds of living 10 more years goes down. As with some other biomarkers there is a range of values with risk increasing as blood levels increase. Understanding homocysteine is especially important if you have cardiovascular risk.
What is homocysteine?
Homocysteine is an amino acid. Having elevated levels of homocysteine in the blood (hyperhomocysteinemia) is associated with atherosclerosis and blood clots.
Methionine Rich Foods
Homocysteine is made from methionine, another amino acid that is found in meat, fish, and dairy products. Vitamins B6 (pyridoxine), B12 and folic acid are required nutrients in this process. Methionine from foods are transformed into homocysteine in the bloodstream. Homocysteine is converted in the body to cysteine, with vitamin B6 facilitating this reaction. Homocysteine can also be recycled back into methionine using vitamin B12-related enzymes. If homocysteine cannot be converted into cysteine or returned to the methionine form, levels of homocysteine in the body increase.
This chemical byproduct of cell function, homocysteine, is a widely-recognized marker of cardiovascular risk, and looks at risk independently of other markers, like cholesterol. Homocysteine levels reflect a process that occurs within every cell in the body, known as methylation chemistry. Methylation and cell detoxification control the expression of our genetic material through DNA, RNA and protein replication. Homocysteine plays a role in destroying the lining of your artery walls, promoting the formation of blood clots, and also accelerates the buildup of scar tissue. High levels may increase the chance of heart disease and stroke, especially if you have other risk factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, smoking, or family history.
When this process is not working properly, homocysteine levels are elevated; therefore, this marker reveals function or dysfunction on the most basic level. Homocysteine levels are considered elevated when greater than 6 µmol/L. High homocysteine is associated with disorders ranging from heart disease and cancer to Alzheimer’s disease and osteoporosis. The good news is that elevated homocysteine levels reflect an imbalance correctable through diet and supplements. As homocysteine levels return to a more normal range, it indicates reduced risk.
Certain nutrients have been associated with supporting healthy homocysteine levels. Most notably B6, B12 and Folate. These and other nutrients help to normalize healthier homocysteine levels to produce healthier blood vessels and blood pressure. The benefit is a reduction in the risk of heart attack and stroke.
It’s bad enough when you have one biomarker that is severely out of norm. It is especially bad if you have multiple biomarkers out of norm that are revealing a body that is in crisis. If you need a health care professional who understands how to manage these issues you can contact PERQUE directly.
Contact PERQUE Integrative Health – PERQUE.com – 800.525.7372. Here you can learn more about finding a PERQUE trained practitioner, research the 8 Predictive Biomarkers and PERQUE products.
Better Lab Tests Now
If you want to order your own blood tests you can contact Better Lab Tests Now. Better Lab Tests Now offers only the highest quality lab tests available and works exclusively with highly decorated labs that have been awarded in their field. All of the necessary research has been done for you. Their clear and straightforward system allows you to choose the tests you need without the hassle of dealing with insurance companies. They offer food intolerance tests, hormone tests, and more. Please note that testing cannot be ordered from the states of New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Maryland due to those states’ laws prohibiting direct access testing for their residents. We hope this will change in the future. If you live in one of these states, contact your legislators and express your opinion about these restrictions on your access to these life enhancing tests.
Dr. Kilmer McCully
Dr. Jaffe refers several times to the groundbreaking research of Dr. Kilmer McCully. Dr. McCully first articulated the connection between homocysteine and cardiovascular disease. Unfortunately Dr. McCully’s research was overwhelmed by the cholesterol theory of heart disease. We now know that Dr. McCully was a pioneer and his research has been vindicated. Even so, we are still stuck with the relentless drive to prescribe cholesterol lowering drugs to the general public as necessary, safe and effective. Here is a link to a very interesting written interview with Dr. McCully by Dr. Richard Passwater. This interview will help you understand the background of our knowledge of homocysteine and why Dr. Jaffe considers this predictive biomarker to be so important.
About Dr. Jaffe
Dr. Russell M. Jaffe received his BS, MD and Ph.D from the Boston University School of Medicine in 1972. He completed residency training in clinical chemistry at the National Institutes of Health (1973 – 1976), remaining on the permanent senior staff until 1979. He is board certified in Clinical Pathology and in Chemical Pathology. On leaving NIH Dr. Jaffe began a journey that sought to support the emerging field of Integrative and Regenerative Medicine.
Dr. Jaffe is CEO and Chairman of PERQUE Integrative Health (PIH). His dedication to the application of primary prevention and his commitment to providing superior nutraceuticals and autoimmune testing with clinical evidence of superior efficacy has made him a sought after speaker and leader in his chosen field.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I think that I saw Dr. Jaffe many years is chapel hill, nc
have a book autographed in the front that he has wrote the forward in
The book is by Susan E. Brown PhD dated 2009
Is he still living? If so does he still talk with people?
I had a spinal block and it was successful. I sure would like to say thank you again to him I was so impressed with his one on one with patients
July 18, 2020
Vernece Willett
You may be able to reach him through his website:
https://www.perque.com/