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A few weeks ago I wrote a Wellness Pathway, Get Yourself Checked
Click, that
encouraged you to find out your homocysteine level as part of your next routine
physical. Homocysteine is an amino acid that is produced in the body as we
process dietary protein. Excess consumption of protein, especially animal
protein, insufficient supplies of B-vitamins and methyl donors, and genetic
deficiencies can all lead to elevated homocysteine levels in your blood.
What's wrong with that? A lot. Homocysteine is an independent risk factor
cardiovascular disease as well as other chronic diseases including stroke,
cancer, diabetes, and Alzheimer's. Fortunately, most people can bring their
homocysteine levels into the optimal range with modest lifestyle changes and the
consumption of supplemental B-vitamins and methyl donors. High homocysteine is
one of the easiest problems to fix.
But not if you don't know it's problem and not if you don't understand its
importance as having a direct effect on the cells and tissues of the arteries. I
was therefore distressed to read in the past week two separate reports on heart
health, one in a special edition of Newsweek magazine and the other in the July
issue of Consumer Reports on Health, that fail to even mention homocysteine in
their reviews of current research.
This failure is par for the course when it comes to the history of homocysteine
research and recommendations. Cholesterol, triglycerides, and C-reactive protein
are the darlings of modern medicine. And, in fact, we need to keep an eye on
them as well. But to ignore homocysteine is to leave an important player out of
the puzzle.
No one can responsibly argue that any of the following do not play a role in
cardiovascular disease and other chronic diseases: fats (cholesterol and
triglycerides), inflammation (CRP), sugar (insulin resistance), and amino acids
(homocysteine).
Fortunately, many of the recommendations for any one of these are the same for
the recommendations of all the others. We cannot expect to fight the "diseases
of civilization" unless we maintain an optimal weight, get more exercise, eat
less saturated fats, stop smoking, minimize our consumption of caffeine and
alcohol, and control our blood pressure. These things are essential to health
and wellness.
But of the four factors (fats, inflammation, sugar, and amino acids), only
homocysteine is specifically targeted by our consumption of B-vitamins and
methyl donors. And for many people, whether it has to do with genetics or food
quality, diet alone is not sufficient to bring our homocysteine level down to
within the optimal range (below 6 micromoles/liter of blood plasma). For us, we
need to supplement our diets with Folic Acid, B12, B6, B2, Zinc, Magnesium, and TMG (trimethylglycine).
Within months of adequate supplementation, most people can lower their risk and
get themselves in or close to the optimal range. This does not substitute for
any of the other lifestyle recommendations. We all need to keep an eye on our
weight, nutrition, fitness, and stress. But to ignore homocysteine is to ignore
one of the easiest risk factors for most people to control.
Coaching Inquiries: Do you know your homocysteine level? Do you you know how to
keep your homocysteine level in check? Is your doctor up to speed and
cooperative in checking and, if necessary, reducing your homocysteine level? How
committed are you to eating, exercising, and relaxing in ways that promote
health and wellness?
For more information, read The H Factor Solution by James Braly and Patrick
Holford
Click.
To reply to this Pathway, use our
Feedback Form. To learn more about our
Wellness Coaching programs and to arrange for a complimentary wellness coaching
session, use our Contact Form or
Email Bob.
May you be filled with goodness, peace, and joy.
Bob Tschannen-Moran
President, LifeTrek Coaching International,
www.LifeTrekCoaching.com
CEO & Co-Founder, Center for School Transformation,
www.SchoolTransformation.com
2010-2011 President, International Association of Coaching,
www.CertifiedCoach.org
Address: 121 Will Scarlet Lane, Williamsburg, VA 23185-5043
Phone: (757) 345-3452
Fax: (772) 382-3258
Skype: LifeTrek
Twitter: @LifeTrekBob
Mobile: www.LifeTrekMobile.com
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