Homocysteine, Disease, and Folic Acid

Has your physician informed you that your Homocysteine levels are too high? You're not alone.
Homocysteine, which has nothing to do with the Chapel painted my Michealangelo, increases throughout life and is impacted by lifestyle, diet, and genetics. As we age our Earth Suit's ability to absorb nutrients decreases just when we need it the most.

In 1968 Harvard researcher, Dr. Kilmer McCully noticed that children with genetically elevated homocysteine levels experienced heart disease similar to the heart disease found in middle aged parents. An elevated homocysteine level is linked to heart attack, hardening of the arteries, strokes, Alzheimer's, kidney disease, thyroid conditions, liver disease, diseases of the eye, and erectile dysfunction, or assault with a dead weapon.

Excessive alcohol, meat, chicken, and coffee consumption have been show to increase homocysteine levels too. Not eating enough fresh, sun-drenched foods full of B vitamins especially Folic Acid (B6) , such as dark leafy greens will allow your levels to soar. Daily supplementation of 350 mcg of folic Acid for 17 weeks reduced Homocysteine by nearly 20% in one of his tests. Enough to reduce the risk of vascular disease. (Venn BJ et al 2002).

1/2 cup cooked lentils: 179 mcg
• 1 cup boiled collard greens: 177 mcg
• 1/2 cup canned chickpeas: 141 mcg
• 1 medium papaya: 115 mcg
• 1 cup cooked frozen peas: 94 mcg
• 4 spears steamed or boiled asparagus: 88 mcg
• 1/2 cup steamed broccoli: 52 mcg
• 1 cup strawberries: 40 mcg
• 1 medium orange: 39 mcg

That's the way the Universe planned it. Whole Foods are powerful medicine.

Bon Appetite'
Chef Wendell
www.wendellfowler.com