Articles by Dr. Erdman are for informational purposes, and are not to be taken as specific medical advice.
There has been a dramatic rise in cardiovascular disease in
this country. Arterial hardening or the loss of elasticity of the artery wall
is a leading cause of heart attack deaths, coronary artery disease, and stroke.
Dr. Kilmer McCully originally reported in 1969 that elevated
homocysteine levels were associated with advanced atherosclerosis (plaquing) of
the arteries and premature death. He based the findings on a study of children
born with a genetic disorder called homocystinuria. These patients had
genetically induced super high levels of homocysteine, and they often died at
very young ages with advanced hardening of the arteries.
Homocysteine is an inflammatory amino acid that is produced
as a byproduct of metabolism of the protein methionine. During metabolism of
methionine, significant levels of B6, B12, folate, B2
and magnesium must be present in order to be synthesized properly into
glutathione. Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant that protects against
oxidative stress.
No, you can’t just stop eating red meat to avoid these
problems; although some would try to have you believe that nonsense. Methionine
is also found in seafood, poultry, dairy products, eggs, sesame seeds and
Brazil nuts. Although common sense does say that a pure vegetarian diet would
reduce your intake of methionine, simply because you eat less meat where it is
primarily found. But, by not eating meat, you also lower the byproduct
glutathione, which is very essential to good health. Only when it is
incorrectly metabolized does it lead to elevated homocysteine levels.
Research shows that high blood levels of homocysteine can
predict who will suffer a heart attack. High levels of homocysteine prevent
dilation of blood vessels.
REASEARCH SHOWS THAT HOMOCYSTEINE LEVELS ARE A BETTER
INDICATOR OF HEART ATTACKS AND STROKES THAN HIGH CHOLESTEROL LEVELS! Read that
again.
Studies have found that those patients who have elevated
homocysteine have four times the risk of death following a heart attack.
The risk factors for other diseases also increase with
elevated levels of homocysteine. Diseases such as gout, rheumatism, cancer,
leukemia, kidney disease, lupus and even depression go up as levels rise.
Homocysteine can be measured with a simple blood test. If
you have a family history of heart disease, stroke, diabetes or cognitive
degeneration (dementia); you should know your homocysteine levels. If you have
been diagnosed with any of these diseases, get it tested.
There are some very definitive blood tests, that when looked
at collectively, give you a pretty good picture of your cardiovascular health.
Test homocysteine, C-reactive protein, L-pa (Lipoprotein A), triglycerides and
HDL, and the VAP(vertical auto profile) profile as a package to determine your
heart health.
Poor diets high in sugar and carbohydrates can deplete
vitamin B levels and magnesium. If your gut is not functioning properly,
malabsorption of these key nutrients can result in high homocysteine levels.
Smoking and drinking elevate levels also.
The best solution to lower homocysteine levels is to quit
eating so much junk; and increase your intake of B vitamins, magnesium, krill
oil and coconut oil. All these have been shown to reduce homocysteine levels
and systemic inflammation levels in general. A study of 5500 men and women over
5 years showed those taking B vitamins had a 25% lower risk of stroke than
those taking placebo pills. The reduction percentage was directly dose
dependent. Meaning the higher the dose of vitamins given, the less the risk of
stroke.
Tell me again why the government scientists keep pushing studies that seem to show
vitamins are not worthwhile, or even harmful?
They are delusional at best.