Two articles written by Dale Kiefer
Published in LifeExtension Magazine December 2007
High Homocysteine linked with Mild Cognitive Impairment
High levels of circulating homocysteine are associated with an increased risk of mild cognitive impairment, according to a recent report. Mild cognitive impairment is a known risk factor for the development of dementias, including Alzheimer's disease. Elevated blood homocysteine is already generally accepted as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease but the link with cognitive impairment has been considered controversial.
More than 1,200 elderly subjects (aged 60-85 years in this Korean study were assessed for mild cognitive impairment according to standardized criteria. The study revealed that plasma homocysteine levels were higher in subjects diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment, and their odds of being diagnosed increased with increasing levels of homocysteine, regardless of other potential risk factors, such as age or sex. The findings underscore the importance of testing for the presence C" elevated plasma homocysteine, and, if identified, taking steps to reduce these levels.
High Homocysteine Doubles Heart Disease Risk
A high level of homocysteine in the blood is an "independent and important risk factor" for coronary artery disease in a high-risk population, roughly equal to the risk posed by elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels, report Chinese researchers.
Scientists studied 237 patients admitted for coronary angiography, an imaging procedure to identify blockages in the arteries supplying blood to the heart. Patients were divided into two groups: 138 who had been diagnosed with existing coronary disease, and 99 who were found to be normal. They were then assessed for a wide range of potential cardiovascular disease risk factors, including: blood pressure, cholesterol levels, triglycerides, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and plasma homocysteine.
The study revealed that high homocysteine levels roughly doubled a patient's risk of coronary artery disease. Furthermore, statistical analysis showed hs-CRP, total cholesterol, and systolic blood pressure to be independent risk factors for coronary artery disease, while high-density lipoprotein (HDL) had a protective effect.