Aliquot #134: Optimizing Homocysteine Levels for Healthy Aging
Update: 2025-09-11
Description
Elevated homocysteine levels often slip under the radar during routine checkups, yet they quietly raise our risk for heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, Alzheimer’s, and even shorten our lifespan. About one in ten adults carries a common genetic variant that makes it harder to clear homocysteine from the body.
In this Aliquot, I explain exactly what homocysteine is, how it impacts both cardiovascular and brain health, and how simple nutritional strategies—like supplementing with vitamins B6, B12, and methylfolate—can help bring levels down, supporting healthy aging and sharper cognitive function.
This episode includes several key discussion points:
00:01:19 - Why homocysteine is essential—and when it becomes harmful
In this Aliquot, I explain exactly what homocysteine is, how it impacts both cardiovascular and brain health, and how simple nutritional strategies—like supplementing with vitamins B6, B12, and methylfolate—can help bring levels down, supporting healthy aging and sharper cognitive function.
This episode includes several key discussion points:
00:01:19 - Why homocysteine is essential—and when it becomes harmful
00:04:00 - How homocysteine is cleared and why B vitamins help
00:06:46 - How genetic variants influence homocysteine levels
00:08:00 - Mortality risk rises with every 5 µmol/L of homocysteine
00:08:56 - Homocysteine impairs nitric oxide and raises blood pressure
00:09:49 - H-hypertension and the risk of homocysteine with high blood pressure
00:12:22 - What is the optimal homocysteine level?
00:13:08 - Why 5-methylfolate is the better folate
00:15:02 - How riboflavin lowers homocysteine and blood pressure
00:15:39 - Why B12 form and dose matter
00:16:15 - Why B6 needs folate and B12 to lower homocysteine
00:16:41 - Betaine from beets and spinach helps lower homocysteine
00:17:26 - Creatine spares methylation and may reduce homocysteine
This Aliquot features segments from the following episode and Q&A with Dr. Rhonda Patrick. Watch the full session and access show notes here:
This Aliquot features segments from the following episode and Q&A with Dr. Rhonda Patrick. Watch the full session and access show notes here:
- The Optimal Creatine Protocol for Strength, Brain, and Longevity | Darren Candow, PhD
- Q&A #69 with Dr. Rhonda Patrick (4/5/25)
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