Wellness Center

Foods That Lower Homocysteine

Elevated homocysteine levels are linked to higher risks of coronary heart disease and decreased brain function, including dementia and depression. A 10 percent increase in blood homocysteine levels increases the risk of heart disease by 10 percent to 15 percent.

A recent study of nearly 6,000 people found that those who ate the following foods -- those known to be higher in vitamin B2 and folate -- had lower homocysteine levels:

• Milk -- Homocysteine levels were 15 percent lower in people who drank milk regularly versus those who did not drink milk.  (Milk is high in riboflavin -- vitamin B2 -- which is needed to metabolize homocysteine.)
  
  
• Yogurt
  
  
• Ready-to-eat breakfast cereals  (These cereals were fortified with folic acid or folate.)
  
  
• Peppers (red, yellow, green, and hot peppers)
  
  
• Cruciferous vegetables, including cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower -- Homocysteine levels were 16.5 percent lower in those eating cruciferous vegetables often versus those who did not eat them.

Citrus fruit and juices, cheeses, meats, coffee, or tea had no significant affect on homocysteine levels.

Source:

1. What Is Homocysteine? American Heart Association. Available at: http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=535.  Accessed March 8, 2007. 

2. Ganji V et al. Frequent consumption of milk, yogurt, cold breakfast cereals, peppers, and cruciferous vegetables and intakes of dietary folate and riboflavin but not vitamins B-12 and B-6 are inversely associated with serum total homocysteine concentrations in the US population. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Vol. 80 No. 6. December 1, 2004. Abstract available at: http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/abstract/80/6/1500. Accessed March 8, 2007.

This information is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis of specific medical conditions. You should seek prompt professional medical attention if you have a particular concern about your health or specific symptoms.