Homocystrol 120 Tablets

Homocystrol tablets, provided by Douglas

Laboratories, contain significant amounts of vitamins

B-6, B-12, and folic acid, needed for proper

metabolism of homocysteine.

Homocysteinemia, or elevated plasma homocysteine,

is a major, independent risk factor of cardiovascular

disease. High plasma levels of homocysteine appear

to injure the vasculature, impairing the functional

abilities of endothelial and smooth muscle cells.

Elevated homocysteine also appears to be

thrombogenic. Suboptimal intake of several B

vitamins, renal failure, and genetic defects in

homocysteine metabolism can all contribute to

abnormal homocysteine levels.

Homocysteine is a sulfur containing amino acid that

is created in the body from methionine, an essential

amino acid derived solely from dietary intake.

Methionine is metabolized into homocysteine via an

intermediate, S-adenosylmethionine. Homocysteine

can be metabolized to produce cysteine, a nonessential

sulfur-containing amino acid, or it can be

remethylated to methionine. Whether the body needs

cysteine or methionine will dictate which path

homocysteine metabolism will take.

Production of cysteine from homocysteine requires

two specific enzymes for which vitamin B-6 is an

essential coenzyme. Without adequate vitamin B-6,

homocysteine can not be metabolized into cysteine.

The body can also metabolize homocysteine by

remethylating it to methionine. The primary route by

which homocysteine is remethylated to methionine

requires methyltetrahydrofolate as a methyl donor and

vitamin B-12 as a coenzyme. Methyltetrahydrofolate

is synthesized in the body from dietary folic acid.

Folic acid, vitamin B-12, and vitamin B-6 are

necessary for the body to metabolize homocysteine. A

deficiency or suboptimal levels any of these essential

vitamins will cause plasma homocysteine levels to rise.

Dietary surveys and epidemiological studies indicate

that suboptimal levels of folic acid, vitamin B-12, and

vitamin B-6 are common in many population groups.

Elderly individuals, smokers, alcoholics, and users of

many medications, including estrogens and popular

medications for cholesterol and blood glucose

control, are at risk for subclinical deficiencies of one

or more of these B vitamins.

Supplement Facts