Elevated Homocysteine harmful for eyes
January 30, 2009
An amino acid in the blood, it is also a nerve and vessel toxin, which promotes mortality, cardiovascular disease (CVD), stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, birth defects, recurrent pregnancy loss and eye disorders.
Apart from causing these problems, high levels of this amino acid can also cause damage to the eyes, or so according a study at the Medical College of Georgia. As per the study results, it is responsible for causing retinal damage and hence, vision loss. There is evidence that higher levels of homocysteine can cause widespread damage to the blood vessels and neuronal network of the retina.
How high is high?
Homocysteine levels are considered normal if they are between 2.2 and 13.2 µmol/l. On average, people in the West have a homocysteine level of 12 µmol/l. This amount does not exceed the normal amount; however, it is still high and certainly not healthy enough. These levels should be kept low to keep the diseases at bay. Vitamin B12 and folate or folic acid is required in sufficient amounts to keep the levels of homocysteine low enough. A low level of vitamin B6 can also result in high levels of homocysteine in certain people.
Lifestyle factors causing increase in homocysteine levels
High alcohol intake and consuming too much coffee causes insufficient absorption of vitamins. Smoking, drugs and certain diseases also have an effect on homocysteine metabolism.
If you do not exercise enough and live a sedentary life, then your homocysteine levels might be high. Excessive stress can also become the cause of high levels of homocysteine. Obesity is another risk factor or even a possible cause for high levels of homocysteine.
Role of folic acid
The protein in your diet is responsible for supplying methionine, an essential amino acid. However, some of this essential amino acid is converted to homocysteine. Nevertheless, most of this homocysteine is converted back into methionine by our body. The body can do this with help from vitamin B12. Now, if your body does not have enough vitamin B12, then the transformed homocysteine will not be converted back to methionine, causing the levels of homocysteine to go up.
You daily requirement of folate is about 400 micrograms, more if you are pregnant. Lentils, black beans, romaine lettuce, orange juice, cooked spinach and sunflower seeds are some of the sources of folate.
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