Homocysteine: Heart Attack Risk & Weakens
Bones!
Heart disease, breast cancer and osteoporosis (weakening of the
bones) are the leading health issues facing women in America. Although deaths
from heart attack in men have been decreasing for 15 years, they have remained
steady for women. Most women are aware of the risk factors of heart disease,
such as high blood pressure, abnormal blood fats, cigarette smoking, diabetes,
obesity and physical inactivity. The body’s own production of homocysteine has
been linked to increased risk of heart attack, stroke and blood clots.
Researchers found that high blood levels of homocysteine also increase the risk
of hip fractures in older adults. Women with high homocysteine concentrations
had a nearly 200 percent greater chance of sustaining a hip fracture than those
with lower levels. Consuming adequate amounts of B Complex Vitamins (including
Folic Acid) is the best way to lower homocysteine. Good food sources include
asparagus, avocado, beans, beets, broccoli, liver, cereals, corn, peanut butter,
peas, spinach and tofu. (New England Journal of Medicine, 350:2033-2041, 2004).
Specific Nutritional Factors for Helping Maintain Breast Health
