Homocysteine explained
Homocysteine is an amino acid found in the blood produced from the breakdown of dietary protein.
If one's metabolism is working healthily it will be broken down into the beneficial substance cysteine - if not it will build up to toxic levels. It is not related to the consumption of trans-fatty acids.
Some 12 per cent of the population are genetically programmed to have high levels of homocysteine. People with high homocysteine levels are significantly more likely to develop cardio-vascular disease, and it is also a strong risk factor in Alzheimer's and dementia.
Homocysteine levels can be tested from a simple blood sample taken by your GP. However, while most laboratories have the systems available for doing this analysis, it is generally only available on special request.
Homocysteine levels are lowered by a folate-rich diet or folate supplementation. In the US, flour is now fortified with folic acid but in Ireland only a small number of companies, such as Superquinn, fortify bread with folic acid.
While clinical trials investigating the relationship between folic acid supplementation and cardiovascular disease have not yet been completed, there is strong evidence that taking a daily B vitamin and folate supplement significantly reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke.