• Numerous studies in the medical literature over the last decade have indicated that elevations in homocysteine have a direct correlation with the risk of developing a heart attack or stroke even in patients with normal total cholesterol level.
• Multiple studies in the medical literature in the last few years also indicate that elevations in homocysteine can also lead to an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease and dementia.
• A study recently published indicated that plasma homocysteine could actually be a tumor marker. (Source: Wu LL, Wu JT. Clin Chim Acta 2002 Aug;322(1-2):21-8. Department of Pathology and Associated Regional University Pathologists (ARUP) Laboratories Inc., University of Utah Health Science Center, 84132, Salt Lake City, UT, USA )

Researchers from the University of Utah measured total homocysteine in the blood in cancer patients undergoing treatment. Increased levels of homocysteine coincided with elevations in certain tumor markers. It was felt that the rapid proliferation of tumor cells contributed to the much higher concentration of circulating homocysteine. Both the concentrations of total homocysteine and tumor markers increased in parallel during the growth of the tumor cell, but only the homocysteine concentration would decline in response to tumor cell death. The researchers speculated that the elevations in homocysteine could be secondary to several biochemical factors including folate deficiency, oxidative stress or aberration in DNA metabolism. These factors were suggested as to why elevated homocysteine levels could eventually lead to carcinogenesis (cancer formation). The researchers indicated that conceivably homocysteine could be used as a more accurate tumor marker for monitoring cancer patients during treatment and elevations in homocysteine could, indeed, be a risk factor for the development of cancer.

This information is clearly cutting edge. From a common sense scientific standpoint, it does make sense. Excessive oxidative stress or some abnormality in the metabolism of DNA would seem to be a factor leading to an increased risk of cancer development.

Just as you know your cholesterol level, you should also become familiar with your homocysteine level. The ideal level is under 10 with the optimal being 5 - 6.

Regardless of whether or not elevations of homocysteine are tumor markers for cancer, it has been clearly established that a high homocysteine level in the blood clearly increases the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease including Alzheimer's disease and dementia.

Be proactive when it comes to your health. The next time when you see your doctor, ask to have a serum homocysteine level drawn and if it is over 9, consider aggressively treating this. Normalize your serum homocysteine level is as important as normalize your cholesterol level. There is no better way to fight heart disease, stroke and cancer than to reduce your risk dramatically.

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