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How To Reduce Homocysteine Levels?
Question: I am a 75 year old male in fairly good condition. However, I suffered a TIA [weakness of right arm and right leg; a loss of some balance] about a month and a half ago and had a loop recorder installed about two weeks ago. The arm and leg issues are resolving themselves. My neurologist has put me on Aggrenox and wants me to lower my homocysteine levels with Cenofil [sp?] to help in preventing another stroke. My research indicates that taking B-12/B-9/B-6 may or may not lower my homocysteine levels but will do nothing in preventing another stroke. The 5 studies I examined - totaling some 11,000+ patients - show that homocysteine levels probably have little or nothing to do with lowering my risk for another stroke. What do do?
Brief Answer:
Please, take the drug to lower homocysteine!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.
I am sorry to hear about the TIA but happy to know you are doing a lot better and taking measures to reduce the risk factors associated with developing stroke.
Your research has made you think reducing your homocysteine levels may not be helpful. It depends on the article you read. There are tons of articles out there that would also tell you it has real benefits. To me, what is the risk in taking this drug? If it offers no added protection, it causes no harm and if it offers, it is a huge gain for you. To be on the safe side and allow science to battle out what the final stand point is about this, take the medications because the worse thing that can happen is not gaining any benefit as opposed to developing a stroke if it were truly effective.
Look at this article:
http://journals XXXXXXX org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=0000&fileId=S0000
I hope this provide enough information for you to work on. Get back to me with more concerns so that we may iron them out.
Please, take the drug to lower homocysteine!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.
I am sorry to hear about the TIA but happy to know you are doing a lot better and taking measures to reduce the risk factors associated with developing stroke.
Your research has made you think reducing your homocysteine levels may not be helpful. It depends on the article you read. There are tons of articles out there that would also tell you it has real benefits. To me, what is the risk in taking this drug? If it offers no added protection, it causes no harm and if it offers, it is a huge gain for you. To be on the safe side and allow science to battle out what the final stand point is about this, take the medications because the worse thing that can happen is not gaining any benefit as opposed to developing a stroke if it were truly effective.
Look at this article:
http://journals XXXXXXX org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=0000&fileId=S0000
I hope this provide enough information for you to work on. Get back to me with more concerns so that we may iron them out.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Dear Dr. Ditan,
Thank you for your response to my letter re the connection - if any - between lowering homocysteine levels and lessening the chance for a future stroke. I agree that taking a blind leap of faith [Aggrenox, etc.] at this point is the way to go, I am still left with a feeling [belief? hope?] that there is more that can be done re prevention. Perchance, eating dark chocolates, taking magnesium L-Threonate [which I believe can pass the brain barrier???], taking 5-MTHF [a folate that is also suppose to pass through the brain barrier], exercising, and losing weight.
If you can recommend any other modalities which have a decent track record for this issue/problem, I would be most interested in and grateful for.
Thank you for your response to my letter re the connection - if any - between lowering homocysteine levels and lessening the chance for a future stroke. I agree that taking a blind leap of faith [Aggrenox, etc.] at this point is the way to go, I am still left with a feeling [belief? hope?] that there is more that can be done re prevention. Perchance, eating dark chocolates, taking magnesium L-Threonate [which I believe can pass the brain barrier???], taking 5-MTHF [a folate that is also suppose to pass through the brain barrier], exercising, and losing weight.
If you can recommend any other modalities which have a decent track record for this issue/problem, I would be most interested in and grateful for.
Brief Answer:
These are all good measures!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for this follow up.
As you have rightly mentioned, eating the right foods, exercising often and drop some extra kilograms are good measures. In addition to this, your doctor should look t other know risk factor like diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure,, etc and manage accordingly.
At this time, I will no add any more specifics. Your understanding of the threat and what needs to be don has positioned you well on addressing this correctly.
Keep me updated and more so if you need some more clarifications about any health concerns. I wish you well.
These are all good measures!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for this follow up.
As you have rightly mentioned, eating the right foods, exercising often and drop some extra kilograms are good measures. In addition to this, your doctor should look t other know risk factor like diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure,, etc and manage accordingly.
At this time, I will no add any more specifics. Your understanding of the threat and what needs to be don has positioned you well on addressing this correctly.
Keep me updated and more so if you need some more clarifications about any health concerns. I wish you well.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
Hi Dr. Ditah,
Thank you for your assistance to date . . . however, there must be more to this issue/problem even if it involves moving to holistic/naturalistic types of modalities that most traditionally trained doctors are not familiar with? In so many - too many - instances I believe that traditional medicine [in the year 2014] does not go far enough in treating certain health issues. It is to that end I now feel compelled to move [while continuing to use contemporary medicine when there is sufficient evidence proving that it works]. Again, thank you for your responses.
Thank you for your assistance to date . . . however, there must be more to this issue/problem even if it involves moving to holistic/naturalistic types of modalities that most traditionally trained doctors are not familiar with? In so many - too many - instances I believe that traditional medicine [in the year 2014] does not go far enough in treating certain health issues. It is to that end I now feel compelled to move [while continuing to use contemporary medicine when there is sufficient evidence proving that it works]. Again, thank you for your responses.
Brief Answer:
Using both may make a better option!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this follow up.
It is true that I do not use so much of alternative/naturalistic medicine. Not because I do not know them but, because they have not provided enough information on uses and safety that I can rely on to feel comfortable asking my patients to go on. If any of these products were FDA approved, then I will for sure use them.
The truth is science has been unable to resolve all problems as of date. We accept our limitations and continue to work with the best available evidence to meet the needs of our clients. Alternative medicine has taken advantage of this gap by telling patients that they can do it of which they cannot defend their claims. Well, every patient likes a doctor who promises them what they really long for and that is what alternative medicine does in several cases. I can tell you I have seen persons who say acupuncture treats cancer of the liver and yes, people go there daily for that. I will leave it at that.
I wish you well. I know with these measures that you have adopted, your risk of further stroke is reduced. I pray you never get one. Keep me posted and know I am happy exchanging with you if need be.
Using both may make a better option!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this follow up.
It is true that I do not use so much of alternative/naturalistic medicine. Not because I do not know them but, because they have not provided enough information on uses and safety that I can rely on to feel comfortable asking my patients to go on. If any of these products were FDA approved, then I will for sure use them.
The truth is science has been unable to resolve all problems as of date. We accept our limitations and continue to work with the best available evidence to meet the needs of our clients. Alternative medicine has taken advantage of this gap by telling patients that they can do it of which they cannot defend their claims. Well, every patient likes a doctor who promises them what they really long for and that is what alternative medicine does in several cases. I can tell you I have seen persons who say acupuncture treats cancer of the liver and yes, people go there daily for that. I will leave it at that.
I wish you well. I know with these measures that you have adopted, your risk of further stroke is reduced. I pray you never get one. Keep me posted and know I am happy exchanging with you if need be.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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