Homocysteine

Homocysteine levels elevated to toxic proportions due to synthesis from dietary methionine in red meat and poultry are aggravated due to a decline in detoxifying methylation in aging specimens. High homocysteine levels are associated with a higher rate of atherosclerotic plaque formation.  It has been noted that a homocysteine blocker or homocysteine shield also helps to preserve telomere length.  A typical homocysteine shield includes Vitamin B12, Vitamin B6, folic acid, and Trimethylglycine.

 Short telomeres are associated with senescent endothelial cells that are more adhesive to monocytes than youthful phenotype endothelial cells. Atherosclerotic plaque formation rates climb as a consequence of higher monocyte adhesion.  Macular degeneration seems to be due to vascular disease degrading the blood supply to the retina through the choroid vascular system, so that homocysteine is a factor in macular degeneration as it is is vascular disease.

High homocysteine levels correlate to higher rates of macular degeneration and to vascular diseases such as atherosclerosis. Homocysteine is also toxic to dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and plays a role in Parkinson's Disease.

"Compared to control patients, 32% more heart attack victims had homocysteine levels > 10 mmol/L. 500% more heart attack victims had homocysteine levels > 15 mmol/L."
William Falloon, As We See It, Life Extension Magazine, September 2010.

Homocysteine Blocker

A homocysteine blocker (homocysteine shield) prevents atherosclerosis, and typically includes TMG (trimethylglycine), folic acid, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12. Atherosclerotic plaque has been implicated in heart attacks, strokes, and macular degeneration.

The target level of homocysteine in the blood is 6.3 µmol per liter of blood or less. If as high as 15 µmol per liter – and this level is not rare – the risk of coronary artery disease is quadrupled. A simple blood test will show the level of homocysteine present. Measuring homocysteine is very important. If it is high it means you have a much higher chance of serious ill health than otherwise. This measure of the effectiveness of methylation in your body should be checked annually.

TMG is converted in the body to SAMe, an antidepressant, serotonin-booster and membrane detoxifier which may assist in the methylation of DNA for life extension via gene silencing. TMG is also useful for detoxifying homocysteine, which may come from methionine in red meat, and which attacks the lining of arteries prior to the formation of arteriosclerotic plaque.