Homocysteine is a sulfur-containing amino acid and when it becomes elevated, it can damage coronary arteries, cell structures, blood lipids and artery walls – eventually leading to the development of atherosclerosis and other forms of heart disease. Vitamins B6, B12 and folate, involved in homocysteine metabolism, act to regulate and reduce homocysteine.

The assessment of homocysteine status and B-vitamins, particularly B6, B12 and folate, is useful since heart disease is the leading cause of fatality in the U.S. In addition, current medical research reports that an elevated homocysteine status and/or deficiency of B6, B12 and/or folate increases the risk for heart disease. Approximately 2/3 of cases with elevations in homocysteine are related to deficiencies of one or more of these B-vitamins.

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