Executive Summary of Our Conclusions: 

               -- What We Need to Know

Homocystein is a toxic substance created in our bodies as a by-product of the failure of parts of the natural processes of converting methionine into cysteine.  When it builds up in your bloodstream it does damage to the walls of your arteries and to the brain.  This damage appears to lead to cardio-vascular disease and to Alzheimer's disease. It can be controlled by getting adequate amounts of folate (folic acid), Vitamin B12, B6, B2 and possibly other B vitamins and co-factors, either through diet or supplements.

A critical level of homocystein in your blood is around 13-14 mmol/liter. This point marks the break-point to the upper quartile or quintile in test groups.  At this level your chances of contracting Alzheimer's are double that of those in the lower quartiles or quintiles. For every 5 mmol/liter above this level, your chances of contracting Alzheimers increase by 40%.  Actually, the relationship is probably a more or less smooth curve with higher levels leading to higher probabilities of contracting Alzhiemer's and lower levels leading to lower probabilities.  Some say anything over 6 is too high.  13-14 is certainly too high. 

--What is the ideal level? 6 mmol/liter, the level of 10-15 year-old males and 16-22 year old females.  
--How do you find out what your level is?  Through simple blood tests.  Most medical labs that do regular blood workups can make the test and give you the results.

This is critical.  Know your homocystein level.  Studies report high levels of homocystein in subjects at least 8 years before they were diagnosed with Alzheimer's.  Apparently the damage it does is cumulative and (almost) irreversible.  If your levels are high you are on a slippery slope leading down to Alzheimer's.  You are also much more likely to have a stroke or a heart attack.  Get your level down, as close to ideal as you can, and DO IT NOW!

-- How do you get your level down?
A. By getting enough B vitamins in your diet. You get the B vitamins from eating foods such as liver, kidneys, yeast, fruits (like bananas and oranges), leafy vegetables, whole-wheat bread, lima beans, eggs and milk; however, they are often destroyed by cooking or processing.  You probably cannot get enough of what you need from foods alone, but you should try.  Mainly because there are probably unknown co-factors, antioxidants and other things that haven't been identified yet that come along with the foods.
B. By taking supplements.

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