Homocysteine is an amino acid produced as the body processes protein. Normally it is recycled within seconds, but when the B vitamins that clear it run short it accumulates — and raised levels are linked to blood-vessel damage and to cardiovascular and cognitive risk. It is essentially a readout of B-vitamin status: folate, vitamin B12 and vitamin B6 are the levers that bring it down, which is why a homocysteine result so often points straight back to the diet.
Compounds that influence Homocysteine
- Choline — may help lower
- Folate — may help lower
- Vitamin B12 — may help lower
- Vitamin B6 — may help lower
Written by the Nutrition Encyclopedia team · medically reviewed by Dr. Sunaina Tariq, MBBS
Last updated 22 June 2026
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