Identifying Bad Blood – A Test That Could Save Your Life – Your Health Detective

This Week’s Focus on Health

Learn why Homocysteine Markers are a better indicator of heart attack, strokes, cognitive disorders (Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s, schizophrenia, neurological birth defects, mental decline)…click to continue reading…

Key Points

Homocysteine is an amino acid produced by the body – usually a byproduct of consuming meat. Amino acids are naturally made products, which are the building blocks of all proteins in the body.

Symptoms of elevated homocysteine levels are believed to cause narrowing and hardening of the arteries – in turn leading to diminished blood flow through the affected arteries. This narrowing and hardening of the vessels is thought to occur through a variety of ways involving elevated homocysteine. Elevated levels of homocysteine in the blood may also increase the tendency for excessive blood clotting – blood clots inside the arteries further diminish blood flow and manifest as deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. The resultant lack of blood supply to the heart muscles may cause heart attacks, and the lack of blood supply to the brain causes strokes.

Physicians and natural health professionals worldwide have discussed the importance of homocysteine (an amino acid in the blood) for decades, however, conventional medicine has only recently acknowledged its importance — and then for only a few conditions. During this period of intellectual Dark Ages, hundreds of studies have been done showing the powerful link between even modest elevations in homocysteine and human diseases of various sorts. Yet, conventional medicine is always the last to accept even the obvious. According to respected physician, author and researcher, Dr. Russell Blaylock, “Despite compelling evidence that elevated homocysteine was a better indicator of heart attack and stroke risk than cholesterol, doctors continued to rely on cholesterol levels, primarily because the ‘elite’ of medicine were on the payroll of statin drug makers – there were no drugs to lower homocysteine, and the beneficial nutrients that did lower it cannot be patented by the pharmaceutical companies – yet!” “What has intrigued natural health professionals is why homocysteine would be linked to such diverse conditions as heart disease, neurological birth defects, mental decline, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and schizophrenia. There is extensive evidence that homocysteine is metabolized into a series of potent toxins, all of which produce high levels of free radicals, lipid peroxidation products, and powerful excitotoxins. Some of the major metabolites include homocysteine sulfinic acid, homocysteic acid, cysteine sulfinic acid, and cysteic acid – all either act like glutamate or aspartate, both powerful excitotoxins when present in excess.” Research shows that high levels of homocysteine in the blood can predict who will suffer a heart attack because elevated levels prevent dilation of blood vessels – research proves that homocysteine levels are a better indicator of heart attacks and strokes than high cholesterol levels. The research on the amino acid homocysteine and heart disease is over ten years old. Following men with heart problems for six years, Norwegian researchers found that the higher the homocysteine levels, the greater the risk of death following a heart attack. Another study showed that the risk of a fatal heart attack increased four-fold in those with high homocysteine levels in the blood. However, several nutrients have been shown to lower blood homocysteine and the associated risks. Homocysteine sulfinic acid stimulates receptors that lead to excito-toxicity, not only in the brain, but also in the lining of blood vessels (heart attacks and strokes), in the developing brain (birth defects), in the heart (heart failure), and even in a number of cancers. The Risk Factors of Elevated Homocysteine… The risk factor for other diseases also increases with elevated levels of homocysteine, such as: · Rheumatism/Arthritis/Fibromyalgia; · Depression goes up as the homocysteine levels rise. Some doctors suggest a link between homocysteine and the thyroid gland as a link to these non-vascular disease states.

A healthy level of homocysteine in the blood is below 15 micro mol/liter, some doctors recommend levels below 7. A simple blood test can be used for diagnosis.

How to Reduce Homocysteine Levels, Naturally… Nutrients that reduce homocysteine include: · B12, B9 (folic acid), B2 (riboflavin), and B6; · Silymarin (milk thistle). These nutrients act through various chemical pathways to break down homocysteine in the blood. Adding zinc and Tri-methyl Glycine (TMG) to the diet is also recommended. Physical exercise will decrease homocysteine levels, as will losing weight and reducing stress. A vegetarian diet reduces homocysteine levels as well.Smoking and drinking alcohol will increase the levels of blood homocysteine as well, along with estrogen deficiency and use of some pharmaceutical drugs, such as steroids. Coffee and tea also cause an increase.

Some people are genetically prone to elevated homocysteine levels, but by changing the diet, reducing alcohol consumption, increasing exercise and adding B vitamins, homocysteine levels can be lowered, and the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other chronic conditions can be significantly reduced or eliminated.

The Way I See It… In this era of symptom-care that becomes drug-management by conventional healthcare methodologies, it’s important that we be as informed as possible and become our own best health detective and advocate. Ask your health professional to check your homocysteine levels; if they ask why, you now have enough information to provide a sound answer. All the supplements and nutraceuticals listed above known to reduce homocysteine levels are available through the Health Matters Store. Take a look on our website at www.gloriagilbere.com or call Sharon, our customer service director at 888-352-8175 (Mon. – Thurs. 8: to 2: Pacific time, closed Friday). If you have high risk factors for any of the diseases mentioned in this article, consider consulting with me via telephone and allow me to coach you to wellness, naturally. Your Health Detective:

Uncovering Clues to Add LIFE to Your Years…NOT Merely Years to Your Life, Naturally

Dr. Gloria Gilbère (aka Dr. G), D.A.Hom., Ph.D., D.S.C.,

EcoErgonomist, Wholistic Rejuvenist

Dr. Gilbère is renowned worldwide for her work in identifying and finding natural solutions to chemically-induced and inflammatory disorders, multiple chemical sensitivities, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, Gulf War Syndrome, and digestive disorders that defy conventional diagnosis and treatment. She consults worldwide via telephone, at her Institute in Sandpoint, Idaho and at the fully integrative medical Clinic for Wholistic Rejuvenation in Gig Harbor, Washington. Visit her website at www.gloriagilbere.com for details about consulting with her. Creator of certificated courses to become a Wholistic Rejuvenist™ (CWR) and for post-graduate education for health and spa professionals. Go to www.gloriagilbere.com and click on Wholistic Skin & Body Rejuvenation (WSBR™) for course outline. Available on-site at worldwide locations, and via distance-learning at your convenience globally.

Information in this newsletter is not meant to substitute for the advice provided by medical professionals, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent a disease or disorder. The FDA has not reviewed or endorsed the contents of this educational publication.

Copyright is held by Gloria E. Gilbère, LLC to which all rights are reserved. Other than personal, non-commercial use or forwarding, no material in this newsletter may be copied, distributed, or published without the expressed written permission of its author and copyright holder.

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