HCY a more reliable indicator of disease risk
Have you had your blood tested for homocysteine levels? Many healthcare providers believe that homocysteine levels are a more accurate indicator of Vitamin B-12 blood levels than a B-12 blood test. Here's why:
The blood level of Vitamin B-12 is discovered by taking a number of people (usually fewer than 100) and testing their blood levels. These people are chosen at random and are reasonably healthy, showing no obvious signs of disease. All of their blood test results are added together and an average from the entire group serves as a midline. Usually, both the lowest and highest numbers of responding people are eliminated. The next lowest number and next highest number are used as the lower and upper limits for that test at that lab. That is one reason why different labs may have different "normal" values.
That is the simplified version of how highs and lows are discovered for nutrients like B -12. Can you see the flaws in this kind of thinking? First, I do not want to be compared to the average person on the street. I want to be compared to the healthiest people around. My goal is to have abundant energy and be disease resistant. Therefore, I want to be compared to the people who have already achieved those benchmarks. Second, we know that people with "normal" levels of B-12 often have high levels of homocysteine and low moods.
Both mood and HCY levels improve when we supplement with the right kind of B-12. That means that the lab values for what should be considered "low" are too low. It also tells us that what is considered "high" is likewise erroneous. High lab values for B-12 are based on the survey of "normal" people. We know that "normal" in our culture does not reflect our health aspirations!
Ideal B-12 levels
If you have read our Weekly Wellness Reports regularly, you know that there are different types of B-12 that do different jobs. For instance, cyanocobalamin is a complete form of B-12 that nourishes the brain and nerves. Methylcobalamin is a
B-12 enzyme that detoxifies homocysteine in the liver and kidneys.
The best way to tell if you nee cyanocobalamin is if you have "brain fog" that lifts when you take a B-12 supplement that contains cyanocobalamin.
The best way to tell if you ne methylcobalamin is to have your blood tested for homocysteine levels The normal value for homocysteine between 4 and 8, with the ideal number being 6.3. Any value higher than 8 indicates that you need methylcobalamin
-- regardless of what your actual B-12 blood test says.
It is not how much B-12 you have your blood test that tells you if you have enough. Instead, it is how effective the type of B-12 is at reducing the harmful deadly levels of elevated homocysteine.
Ask your healthcare provider to test your homocysteine levels. It's especially important for those with a family history of cardiovascular disease, stroke, Alzheimer's disease or osteoporosis.
by Brazos Minshew
TriVita Chief Science Officer
Lowering your homocysteine
You can help reduce your risk with these lifestyle choices/changes:
- Eat fruits and vegetables high in antioxidants -- 5 servings daily for children, 7 servings for women, and 9 servings for men.
- Reduce your stress load.
- Get at least 30 minutes of vigorous activity every day.
- Supplement your diet with high- quality nutrients.
- Defeat stress by nurturing your spirit with healthy relationships and a healthy sense of purpose.
Help reduce the risk of illness by taking HCY Guard daily
- TriVita HCY Guard has been clinically proven to lower dangerous homocysteine levels 30-40% in just 42 days.
- Taken daily, HCY Guard ensures that you continue to maintain healthy homocysteine levels.
- HCY Guard has an exclusive blend of nutrients, specifically chosen for their ability to protect against homocysteine escaping into your bloodstream.
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