Essential Vitamins For The Heart

Find out which Vitamins are Essential for the Heart

Human Heart

Today it is known that high levels of the amino acid homocysteine in the blood stimulates and accelerates atherosclerosis. That the level of homocysteine does not rise too much, it is necessary to sufficiently intake of vitamin B6, B12 and folic acid especially.

Homocysteine is an amino acid produced by decomposition of methionine metabolic – one of the essential amino acids obtained from protein in our food. The liver converts homocysteine back to methionine or other substances, and its concentration usually remains very low. When homocysteinuria, a genetic defect in the liver prevents the formation of enzymes that are essential for the metabolism of homocysteine. By the accumulation of homocysteine is also a result of poor nutrition, poor sources of vitamin B6, B12 and folic acid. The problem with homocysteine is he toxic to the arteries. High levels of homocysteine in the blood stimulates and accelerates atherosclerosis.

Vitamins that keep arteries

Enzymes that metabolize homocysteine depend on vitamin B6, B12 and folic acid. Abnormal elevation of homocysteine may occur in every whose diet does not contain adequate amounts of these vitamins. Our modern diet is rich in animal protein and low in foods that are a good source of B vitamins (fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains). Processed packaged foods, refined flour and sweets are very poor with B vitamins.

Foods that protect us

Statistics show that people deficient in folic acid are dying from the effects of heart disease 69% more than the control group. To ensure the normal amount of homocysteine in the blood, recommended is the use of foods rich in folic acid.

The richest foods with folic acid include lentils, beans, orange, broccoli, peas and spinach. It should be borne in mind that the first two ingredients, lentils and beans, contain nearly twice as much folic acid than the others on the list.

REMEMBER: Studies conclusively show that elevated levels of homocysteine in the blood more accurately predict the occurrence of heart disease than high cholesterol, high blood pressure and smoking. Prevention is the consumption of sufficient amounts of foods rich in vitamins B6 and B12, especially B9 (folic acid), such as a lens, then the beans, then orange, broccoli, peas and spinach.