Weight Matters Homocysteine Homocysteine is an amino acid usually present in the body in small amounts.
Amino acids are the small building blocks that make up all proteins.
Homocysteine is produced in the human body during breakdown of the amino acid methionine, an amino acid essential for normal bodily function. Elevated levels of homocysteine, however, have been associated with increased cardiovascular risk in a number of recent studies. It has been suggested that homocysteine levels rise because of a lack of essential vitamins such as folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12. These vitamins help the body to eliminate homocysteine. Although there have not been sufficient studies to determine if supplementing these specific vitamins will help reduce the risk of heart disease, it does seem prudent to assure that the overall diet supplies an adequate intake of folic acid, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12.