Effects of high homocysteine levels in the blood.
1. Cardiovascular
Heart attacks
strokes
2. Musculo-skeletal
arthritis
osteoporosis
vertebral fracture
3. Hereditary disease
Homocystinuria
Methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase
4. foetal disorders
early miscarriage (early abortion)
pregnancy complications
low birth weight
neural tube abnormalities - spina bifida - hydrocephalus
5. childhood disorders
slow growth in stature
impaired mental development
central nervous system disorders - motor function, school performance
6. Alzheimers Disease: high blood levels of homocysteine double the risk of Alzheimers disease.
Cardiovascular: high homocysteine levels damage the collagen that forms the wall of blood vessels making them liable to arterial disease, strokes and possible heart attacks.
Musculo-skeletal Cartilage and bone including the mineral in bone and the blood vessels to bone can be damaged by homocysteine. Injuries to cartilage heal slower. Arthritis advances faster. Osteoporosis develops and advances faster leading to the danger of collapse of vetebrae.
