pcovers
04-23-2003, 07:22 PM
All this talk and worry over cholesterol... I hope you're taking your folic acid.
The relationship between elevated homocysteine levels and CAD was first identified in 1985 when the New England Journal of Medicine published a study in which investigators reported that 30% of patients with prematureCAD had high levels of homocyst(e)ine. More recently, Norwegian investigators showed that as homocyst(e)ine levels increase from 5 mol/L to 20 mol/L, the risk of CAD increases 5-fold. This evidence suggests that elevated homocyst(e)ine may be a more important risk factor for CAD than either smoking or elevated cholesterol levels, indicated Dr. Spence.
The relationship between elevated homocysteine levels and CAD was first identified in 1985 when the New England Journal of Medicine published a study in which investigators reported that 30% of patients with prematureCAD had high levels of homocyst(e)ine. More recently, Norwegian investigators showed that as homocyst(e)ine levels increase from 5 mol/L to 20 mol/L, the risk of CAD increases 5-fold. This evidence suggests that elevated homocyst(e)ine may be a more important risk factor for CAD than either smoking or elevated cholesterol levels, indicated Dr. Spence.
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john73
04-25-2003, 04:01 PM
Very good info! I hope more research will help prevent heart disease in the 50% or more people who have normal cholesterol levels.
Rebeckah
04-29-2003, 12:44 AM
This is a test reply to see if I can get through...
Rebeckah
04-29-2003, 12:49 AM
Thank you pcovers. I went to the cardiologist today and come back frustrated.....I requested a homocysteine level to be done and got the 'song and dance' with....."there is not enough research on it and what would one do if it does come back high?" Well anyhow, the cardiologist agreed to the test but I had no answer to him about what I WOULD do if the level is high. I am going to start a new topic with the other information I have and hope to get some good advise from the knowledgeable folks here. Thanks again for your post, Rebeckah
CobaltBlue
04-29-2003, 07:37 AM
Originally posted by Rebeckah:
Well anyhow, the cardiologist agreed to the test but I had no answer to him about what I WOULD do if the level is high.
homocysteine --> 1000 ug Folic acid
hs-CRP --> 325 mg Aspirin*
*There is also a strong correlation of elevated hs-CRP and CAD. Aspirin is recommended for many benefits, and among them is the decrease in arterial inflammation. If not mistaken, statins also tend to lower hs-CRP, but I would need to look that up to confirm it.
Also, keep in mind that you don't want to just start taking folic acid without also increasing your other B vitamins (esp. B6 and B12).
My cardiologist told me that I should start taking folic acid even before the next bloodwork came back (lipoprofile with hs-CRP, homocysteine, lp(a), particle size...) because of my CHD and the minimal traditional risk factors that I had (cholesterol total <135 mg/dL) at the time that my LAD became occluded.
Well anyhow, the cardiologist agreed to the test but I had no answer to him about what I WOULD do if the level is high.
homocysteine --> 1000 ug Folic acid
hs-CRP --> 325 mg Aspirin*
*There is also a strong correlation of elevated hs-CRP and CAD. Aspirin is recommended for many benefits, and among them is the decrease in arterial inflammation. If not mistaken, statins also tend to lower hs-CRP, but I would need to look that up to confirm it.
Also, keep in mind that you don't want to just start taking folic acid without also increasing your other B vitamins (esp. B6 and B12).
My cardiologist told me that I should start taking folic acid even before the next bloodwork came back (lipoprofile with hs-CRP, homocysteine, lp(a), particle size...) because of my CHD and the minimal traditional risk factors that I had (cholesterol total <135 mg/dL) at the time that my LAD became occluded.
pcovers
05-01-2003, 07:51 PM
Originally posted by Rebeckah:
Well anyhow, the cardiologist agreed to the test but I had no answer to him about what I WOULD do if the level is high.
If your cardiologist genuinely does not know how to lower homocysteine levels, you have a seriously out of the loop cardiologist. This is not some brand new concept or cutting edge information. As ubernier accurately points out, folic acid is a very reliable means of lowering high homocysteine. That your doctor did not know this would raise big flags for me were he my doctor.
As was noted above, one should also supplement the other B vitamins with the folic acid.
Well anyhow, the cardiologist agreed to the test but I had no answer to him about what I WOULD do if the level is high.
If your cardiologist genuinely does not know how to lower homocysteine levels, you have a seriously out of the loop cardiologist. This is not some brand new concept or cutting edge information. As ubernier accurately points out, folic acid is a very reliable means of lowering high homocysteine. That your doctor did not know this would raise big flags for me were he my doctor.
As was noted above, one should also supplement the other B vitamins with the folic acid.
ARIZONA73
05-01-2003, 09:42 PM
This is precisely what is wrong with mainstream medicine. Most doctors know little, if anything about non-drug treatments, and this leaves so many patients at a disadvantage. Not only can't they tell their patients what to take, they can't even advise them how much to take. I am so glad I bought some of Atkins' books, or else I would be much more in the dark than I already am. Anyway, in regards to folic acid, Atkins believed everyone needs to take 3-8mg a day. For people who have elevated homocysteine levels or who have a high risk for heart disease, the dose should be between 10-20mg daily. This may sound like a lot, but when you think about it, it really isn't. The highest amount of folic acid that the FDA allows to be contained in a single pill is a pitiful 0.8mg!
zip2play
05-05-2003, 08:50 AM
From various boards and internet sites, I was well armed when I got my last Lipid Profile and got what I wanted without a moment's hesitation- well ONE.
My doc happily tested my homocysteine: 8 (YAY)
and my Cardio-Reactive Protein level: .10 (YAY)
I was very pleased he was "up" on things.
I've taken 1200 mcg folic acid daily for more than 5 years.
(He didn't know about serum ferritin- I forgive him, results are sketchier but coming!)
[This message has been edited by zip2play (edited 05-05-2003).]
My doc happily tested my homocysteine: 8 (YAY)
and my Cardio-Reactive Protein level: .10 (YAY)
I was very pleased he was "up" on things.
I've taken 1200 mcg folic acid daily for more than 5 years.
(He didn't know about serum ferritin- I forgive him, results are sketchier but coming!)
[This message has been edited by zip2play (edited 05-05-2003).]
Rebeckah
05-07-2003, 10:41 PM
Originally posted by pcovers:
If your cardiologist genuinely does not know how to lower homocysteine levels, you have a seriously out of the loop cardiologist. This is not some brand new concept or cutting edge information. As ubernier accurately points out, folic acid is a very reliable means of lowering high homocysteine. That your doctor did not know this would raise big flags for me were he my doctor.
As was noted above, one should also supplement the other B vitamins with the folic acid.
I agree, I need to find someone else. Thanks for all the info.
If your cardiologist genuinely does not know how to lower homocysteine levels, you have a seriously out of the loop cardiologist. This is not some brand new concept or cutting edge information. As ubernier accurately points out, folic acid is a very reliable means of lowering high homocysteine. That your doctor did not know this would raise big flags for me were he my doctor.
As was noted above, one should also supplement the other B vitamins with the folic acid.
I agree, I need to find someone else. Thanks for all the info.
Rebeckah
05-07-2003, 10:48 PM
Originally posted by ubernier:
homocysteine --> 1000 ug Folic acid
hs-CRP --> 325 mg Aspirin*
*There is also a strong correlation of elevated hs-CRP and CAD. Aspirin is recommended for many benefits, and among them is the decrease in arterial inflammation. If not mistaken, statins also tend to lower hs-CRP, but I would need to look that up to confirm it.
Also, keep in mind that you don't want to just start taking folic acid without also increasing your other B vitamins (esp. B6 and B12).
My cardiologist told me that I should start taking folic acid even before the next bloodwork came back (lipoprofile with hs-CRP, homocysteine, lp(a), particle size...) because of my CHD and the minimal traditional risk factors that I had (cholesterol total <135 mg/dL) at the time that my LAD became occluded.
Thanks, I'm going to get the bloodwork next week. Will do the B's if it is high. Will do more B's anyhow as soon as I purchase a good multi-B. Any suggestions there? There are so many on the market and I need to have it in CAPSULE FORM, not tablet. (Intolerant of the binders and fillers in the tablets). Rebeckah
homocysteine --> 1000 ug Folic acid
hs-CRP --> 325 mg Aspirin*
*There is also a strong correlation of elevated hs-CRP and CAD. Aspirin is recommended for many benefits, and among them is the decrease in arterial inflammation. If not mistaken, statins also tend to lower hs-CRP, but I would need to look that up to confirm it.
Also, keep in mind that you don't want to just start taking folic acid without also increasing your other B vitamins (esp. B6 and B12).
My cardiologist told me that I should start taking folic acid even before the next bloodwork came back (lipoprofile with hs-CRP, homocysteine, lp(a), particle size...) because of my CHD and the minimal traditional risk factors that I had (cholesterol total <135 mg/dL) at the time that my LAD became occluded.
Thanks, I'm going to get the bloodwork next week. Will do the B's if it is high. Will do more B's anyhow as soon as I purchase a good multi-B. Any suggestions there? There are so many on the market and I need to have it in CAPSULE FORM, not tablet. (Intolerant of the binders and fillers in the tablets). Rebeckah
CobaltBlue
05-08-2003, 07:56 AM
Rebeckah,
I simply buy the grocery store/generic brand down here (Publix). Someone posted in another active thread that the maximum folic acid dosage in a pill form is 800 ug. I neglected to mention that inevitably, I have not seen a way to put together 1000 ug; it normally ends up as 1200 ug, which is fine. (Undoubtedly, you will get additional folate from your diet also).
I get my other 400 ug of folic acid from a multivitamin. Even though that multivitamin has some lower levels of the other B vitamins, I still supplement B6 (at 100 mg) and B12 (at 500 ug). Now, in actuality, a B-complex supplement would probably be best, I just have not made the conversion (yet). Perhaps others can suggest a good one?
Ulrich
I simply buy the grocery store/generic brand down here (Publix). Someone posted in another active thread that the maximum folic acid dosage in a pill form is 800 ug. I neglected to mention that inevitably, I have not seen a way to put together 1000 ug; it normally ends up as 1200 ug, which is fine. (Undoubtedly, you will get additional folate from your diet also).
I get my other 400 ug of folic acid from a multivitamin. Even though that multivitamin has some lower levels of the other B vitamins, I still supplement B6 (at 100 mg) and B12 (at 500 ug). Now, in actuality, a B-complex supplement would probably be best, I just have not made the conversion (yet). Perhaps others can suggest a good one?
Ulrich
zip2play
05-08-2003, 08:58 AM
Ulrich,
I too had to giggle at the 1000mg Folic acid and have for many years taken an 800 mcg on top of a good multi with 400 FA>>> 1200mcg.
Serendipity had me pick up LOTS of bargain priced potent multi's in a job lot place: 100 mg of all the major B's etc...so I snapped a jillion in half rather than pee out lots of B vitamins....LO and BEHOLD, I now have 200 mcg's of Folic Acid + 800 = 1000. :D
I too had to giggle at the 1000mg Folic acid and have for many years taken an 800 mcg on top of a good multi with 400 FA>>> 1200mcg.
Serendipity had me pick up LOTS of bargain priced potent multi's in a job lot place: 100 mg of all the major B's etc...so I snapped a jillion in half rather than pee out lots of B vitamins....LO and BEHOLD, I now have 200 mcg's of Folic Acid + 800 = 1000. :D