Homocysteine is a protein converted from methionine in the human body. Under ideal conditions, its content is very low, and it can be converted into beneficial human body under the catalysis of enzymes. Glutathione (antioxidant) and S-adenosylmethionine (good for the brain and body).
However, when affected by risk factors such as genetic defects, nutritional deficiencies, improper diet, smoking and alcoholism, diseases and drugs, the conversion of homocysteine is hindered, and homocysteine in the blood will accumulate , Produce toxicity, increase the risk of human disease. If you want to maintain a low level of homocysteine in the blood and various tissues, you need the participation of three important substances: folic acid, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12. Therefore, when these three substances are lacking, especially folic acid deficiency , the blood homocysteine level will increase significantly.
A large number of studies have shown that elevated homocysteine levels in the human body are an independent risk factor for stroke , which is causally related to the possibility of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.
Homocysteine levels in the blood are significantly increased, which may damage our body through the following mechanisms: it can affect cell metabolism, differentiation and development, promote cell apoptosis, affect intracellular The synthesis of genetic material, etc.; can affect the synthesis of glutathione in the body, inhibit the synthesis of nitric oxide, and cause oxidative damage; easily cause the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle and promote the oxidation of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, which will lead to atherosclerosis Occurrence; aggravate the immune inflammatory response in the body.
elevated blood homocysteine levels are also considered to be related to the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as coronary heart disease , ischemic cardiomyopathy , deep vein thrombosis , etc.But if your blood homocysteine level is at high risk (≥ 9μmol/L), you need to use supplements to reduce your homocysteine level to a safe level as soon as possible, the most direct and effective way It's diet. The intake dose of supplements should be supplemented under the guidance of a doctor.
Foods that can lower homocysteine:
1. Foods rich in vitamin B2: There are many foods rich in vitamin B2, such as animal heart, liver, kidney, eggs, milk, Yeast, beans, green leafy vegetables, etc. The best food sources are mushrooms, broccoli, asparagus, milk, tomatoes, cabbage, etc.
2. Foods rich in folic acid (vitamin B9): Since folic acid is prone to lose its activity when exposed to light and heat, it is necessary to minimize the cooking time during food processing to reduce the loss of folic acid .
Vegetables rich in folic acid: lettuce, spinach, tomatoes, carrots, greens, asparagus , cauliflower, rape, cabbage , lentils, pods , mushrooms, etc.
Fresh fruits: kiwi, orange, hawthorn, grape, apple, strawberry, banana, pear, cherry, pomegranate, etc.
Animal food: beef, lamb, animal liver, kidney, poultry and eggs.
Cereals: whole wheat flour , barley, rice bran, wheat germ , brown rice, etc.
Beans, nuts: soybeans, soy products, walnuts, cashews, chestnuts, almonds, , pine nuts , etc.
There is another food that is the easiest to supplement folic acid-eggs. The American epidemiological data study shows that eating 1 egg a day,The risk of stroke is reduced by about 12% on average.
3. Foods rich in vitamin B6: Cereals, yeast, liver, meat, fish, eggs, beans and peanuts are rich in vitamin B6 content.
4. Foods rich in vitamin B12: The main food source is animal food, such as offal, meat, eggs, etc., which are rich in vitamin B12. Soy products will also produce a part of vitamin B12 after fermentation. In addition, human intestinal bacteria can also synthesize part of vitamin B12.
5. Zinc-rich foods: Seafood, lean meat, eggs, animal organs, dried fruits, cereals, milk and other foods are rich in zinc. Among them, oyster contains very high zinc content. High; plant foods with higher zinc content include beans, peanuts, mushrooms, etc.; zinc content in vegetables and fruits is less, and the utilization rate is poor, so vegetarians should pay special attention to zinc supplementation.
Homocysteine-lowering drugs include:
1. Folic acid: Supplement 0.8 mg of folic acid every day. There are two specifications of folic acid on the market: 0.4 mg and 5 mg. It is recommended to take 0.4 mg/tablet, 2 tablets/time, 1 time/day, orally.
2. Vitamin B6 tablets: takes 1 to 2 tablets per day (10 mg each).
3. Vitamin B12: Clinically, there are oral medications mecobalamin tablets or injection vitamin B12 injection. Methylcobalamin tablets 1 tablet/time, 3 times/day; Vitamin B12 injection 1 bottle/time,1 time/day, intramuscular injection.
Therefore, people with stroke risk factors (such as advanced age, high blood pressure, diabetes, coronary heart disease and have had transient ischemic attack), if accompanied by high serum homocysteine Attention should be paid to increase the intake of B vitamins (folic acid, vitamin B12 and vitamin B6) from the diet, and serum homocysteine should be monitored regularly, once a year. Patients should not only strengthen dietary conditioning, but also take oral B vitamins for treatment to reduce the serum homocysteine concentration and reduce the risk of stroke.
Editor-in-Chief: Chen Chen
Doctor of Medicine, Chief Physician, Master's Tutor
Source: "Things about Stroke" Science and Technology Literature Press
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