Nutrition Bytes

There are many preventable and reversible risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease. Recently, there have been several reports associating the elevated levels of homocysteine, an intermediate that is involved in the interconversion of methionine and cysteine, with arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease. There appears to be consistent evidence that these homocysteine levels can be significantly reduced by dietary and supplemental intake of folic acid, vitamin B12, and vitamin B6. Elevated levels of homocysteine have become as important as high cholesterol levels and information on prevention has become equally important. Supplements of B vitamin are being strongly encouraged because they are not harmful and inexpensive. Changes in levels of these vitamins can lower homocysteine levels and ultimately reduce an individual risk for cardiovascular disease.