Amino acids are best known for being building blocks of protein that promote health. Homocysteine is a normally harmless amino acid. However, elevated levels of homocysteine are associated with adverse health effects, such as heart disease. High homocysteine levels are an additional concern if you are pregnant. Discuss your concerns with your health care provider if tests indicate your homocysteine levels are higher than normal.
Homocysteine Regulation
Your body makes homocysteine from methionine, an amino acid found abundantly in animal-derived foods. Vitamins including B-6, B-12 and folate play a role in regulating homocysteine levels. These nutrients convert homocysteine to more beneficial substances, including cysteine. Itself an amino acid, cysteine acts as an antioxidant, protecting your cells and tissues from oxidative damage. Homocysteine can rise if you are deficient in these nutrients.
Heart Defects
A high homocysteine level during pregnancy is a risk factor for congenital heart defects, according to a study published in the April 2003 issue of the journal "Birth Defects Research." Congenital heart defects effect your baby's heart structure. This can interfere with the normal blood flow through the heart. These defects can block blood flow or cause slower-than-normal flow. They can also cause blood to flow in the wrong direction.
Neural Tube Defects
Neural tube defects are associated with high homocysteine levels, according to researchers at the Texas Department of State Health Services in Austin, Texas. NTDs affect your baby's brain and spinal cord. Anencephaly, where a large part of the brain is missing, is one of the most common NTDs. High homocysteine increased NTD risk even in the presence of high B-12 and folate levels, according to a study published in the June 2009 issue of "Birth Defects Research."
Fertilization
High homocysteine levels appear to decrease fertility and may affect your chances of becoming pregnant. A preliminary study examined the influence of high homocysteine levels in ovarian follicular fluid to determine its implications. The study found that high homocysteine levels negatively influenced pregnancy outcome after natural and in-vitro fertilization. The study is published in the September 2003 issue of the journal "Ginekologia Polska."
References
- FamilyDoctor.org: Homocysteine
- "Ginekologia Polska"; Homocysteine Level in Ovarian Follicular Fluid or Serum as a Predictor of Successful Fertilization; M. Jerzak.; September 2003
- "Birth Defects Research"; Congenital Heart Defects and Maternal Genetic, Metabolic and Lifestyle Factors; C.A Hobbs et al.; April 2011
- "Birth Defects Research"; Maternal Serum Homocysteine and Risk for Neural Tube Defects in a Texas-mexico Border Population; M. Felkner et al.; June 2009
