--- title: Control Homocysteine for Brain and Heart Health - Natural Family Medicine description: Homocysteine is an amino acid that is made from the dietary amino acid methionine. Ideal blood levels are below 6.2. Levels above this increase risk for Alzheimer’s Disease and cardiovascular disease (atherosclerosis, heart attack, stroke, and blood vessel blockage). Homocysteine is inflammatory and increases risk by damaging blood vessel walls as it passes through veins,... 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[Login](https://naturalfamilymedicine.practicebetter.io/#/signin) - [About](https://naturalfamilydoc.com/about) - [Services](https://naturalfamilydoc.com/services) - [Resources](https://naturalfamilydoc.com/resources) - [Contact](https://naturalfamilydoc.com/contact) - [Schedule Now](https://naturalfamilymedicine.practicebetter.io/#/69051e9f5654170612a8e8f4/bookings?r=693385a1ce451165663ca2be) - [Supplements](https://naturalfamilydoc.com/products) - [Patient Portal](https://naturalfamilydoc.com/forms) - [612-250-2804](tel:6122502804) - Champlin, MN - [HOURS & DIRECTIONS](https://naturalfamilydoc.com/map-directions) - [PATIENT PORTAL](https://naturalfamilymedicine.practicebetter.io/#/signin) # Control Homocysteine for Brain and Heart Health Post by [Stephani Waldron-Trapp, N.D.](https://naturalfamilydoc.com/blog/author/stephani-waldron-trapp-n-d-) July 18, 2015 Homocysteine is an amino acid that is made from the dietary amino acid methionine. Ideal blood levels are below 6.2. Levels above this increase risk for Alzheimer’s Disease and cardiovascular disease (atherosclerosis, heart attack, stroke, and blood vessel blockage). Homocysteine is inflammatory and increases risk by damaging blood vessel walls as it passes through veins, arteries and capillaries. This damage can lead to plaque formation, which is the basis for cardiovascular disease. Levels can be measured with a simple blood test and recommendations can be made to lower homocysteine if needed. If you are interested in knowing what your level of homocysteine is, [contact me](https://www.naturalfamilydoc.com/contact/)! **Homocysteine levels can become elevated from:** - Methionine rich foods, such as meat and dairy - Coffee - Alcohol - Smoking/tobacco use - Inadequate amounts of nutrients needed to break it down (folate, vitamin B12, and others) **Things to do to lower homocysteine levels:** - Consume lots of fiber rich foods (vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, etc.) - Increase phytoestrogens, such as ground flaxseed (also a great source of fiber) - Consume foods high in nutrients necessary to break homocysteine down (a process called methylation), such as foods high in folate and vitamin B12. **It’s not all that easy for some people:** For some individuals, it takes more than these simple steps to reduce homocysteine. This is because there are genetic markers that can be altered and multiple nutritional deficiencies (more than just folate and vitamin B12) that can cause us to have a more difficult time breaking down homocysteine. For these individuals, it is best to have a [functional medical test](https://www.naturalfamilydoc.com/services/labs/) done to assess for genetic alterations and evaluate nutrient levels for all of the nutrients involved in breaking down homocysteine (the methylation process). For more information or if you are interested in having this lab test done, [contact me](https://www.naturalfamilydoc.com/contact/)! I would be happy to order laboratory testing to assess your level of homocysteine and make individualized recommendations so that you can improve your heart and brain health! ###### Tags: [Cardiovascular Health,](https://naturalfamilydoc.com/blog/tag/cardiovascular-health) [inflammation,](https://naturalfamilydoc.com/blog/tag/inflammation) [laboratory testing](https://naturalfamilydoc.com/blog/tag/laboratory-testing) ### NATURAL FAMILY MEDICINE [11132 Commerce Dr N](https://goo.gl/maps/GC3aJjJU3qTQ2SyE7) [Champlin, MN 55316](https://goo.gl/maps/GC3aJjJU3qTQ2SyE7) Email: [info@naturalfamilydoc.com](mailto:info@naturalfamilydoc.com) Phone: [612.250.2804](tel:6122502804) EFax: 763.592.8270 ### QUICK LINKS - [About Natural Family Medicine](https://naturalfamilydoc.com/about) - [Contact Information](https://naturalfamilydoc.com/contact) - [Services](https://naturalfamilydoc.com/services) - [Products](https://naturalfamilydoc.com/products) ### WEBSITE DISCLAIMER  This website, [naturalfamilydoc.com](https://www.naturalfamilydoc.com/), is for general health information only. This information provided here is not a substitute for individual medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of any health condition or problem. Do not rely on information provided here for your own health conditions. If you have specific questions regarding your own health, raise them with your primary care physician or schedule an appointment to [speak directly with Dr. Stephani Waldron-Trapp](https://www.naturalfamilydoc.com/contact/). Copyright © 2026 - Natural Family Medicine - All Right Reserved ```json { "@context": "http:\/\/schema.org\/", "datePublished": "2015-07-19T1:42:31 AM", "dateModified": "2022-10-12T5:10:17 PM", "headline": "Control Homocysteine for Brain and Heart Health", "description": "Homocysteine is an amino acid that is made from the dietary amino acid methionine. Ideal blood levels are below 6.2. Levels above this increase risk for Alzheimer’s Disease and cardiovascular disease (atherosclerosis, heart attack, stroke, and blood vessel blockage). 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