How To Lower Homocysteine Naturally

Most doctors overlook homocysteine, but this crucial blood marker is something that you should check.

High homocysteine levels are linked to heart disease, brain fog, and even dementia, but it is not part of the regular blood tests that your doctor does each year.

Homocysteine is connected to the methylation cycle and can be elevated because of genes like MTHFR, but there are many other factors that can cause high high levels and in this article we are going to focus on how to lower homocysteine naturally.

B vitamins are usually part of the treatment plan to lower homocysteine, but even if you’re taking B vitamins, your levels might still be elevated.

Let’s look at what homocysteine is, why it matters for your health, how to test it, and why it might remain high despite your best efforts.

Understanding Homocysteine

Homocysteine is a sulfur-containing amino acid produced during the metabolism of methionine, an amino acid found in protein-rich foods such as meat, fish, eggs, and dairy.

It acts as an intermediate in several critical biochemical pathways in the body, primarily in the methylation cycle, which is essential for processes like DNA synthesis, neurotransmitter production, and detoxification.

Think of homocysteine like waste accumulating in your home—regularly generated as part of daily living.

Normally, your body efficiently clears this “waste” using essential nutrients like B vitamins (folate, B6, B12).

However, if the clearing mechanisms fail due to nutrient deficiencies, genetic predispositions, or other factors, this waste (homocysteine) accumulates, causing damage to your blood vessels, brain, and overall cellular function.

To keep homocysteine levels in check, your body relies on B vitamins, particularly B6, B12, and folate.

When these nutrients are lacking or not properly utilized, homocysteine can accumulate, some homocysteine is normal but we do not want too much.

The Importance of Testing

Testing your homocysteine levels is straightforward.

You can request a homocysteine blood test from your doctor or order it through one of the cardiovascular panels, or longevity panels that we offer at Planet Naturopath. 

However, be cautious of the “normal” range provided by most labs (5-15 micromoles per liter), as it’s too broad for optimal health, and the ideal range is 5-8.

Optimal Ranges:

• Below 8 micromoles per liter: Ideal
• 8-10 micromoles per liter: Yellow flag (monitor closely)
• Above 10 micromoles per liter: Red flag (increased risk for heart disease, stroke, and cognitive decline)

For a more comprehensive assessment, consider additional functional tests:

• Methylmalonic acid (MMA) to evaluate B12 function at a cellular level and more accurate that a blood test for B12
• FIGLU for folate status at a cellular level.
• Blood levels of B12, folate, B6 (as P5P), and B2 (riboflavin) as these are crucial in homocysteine metabolism.

MMA and FIGLU can be assessed with the Organic Acids Test (OAT), the OAT test can also assess other markers for oxidative stress that can affect homocysteine levels.

Health Implications of High Homocysteine

Elevated homocysteine levels can have far-reaching effects on your health, this is not something that causes health issues when you are young, but if you have long term high homocysteine this creates problems as we get older.

1. Cardiovascular Risk: High homocysteine can damage blood vessel linings, increasing inflammation, plaque formation, and the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
2. Cognitive Function: Studies link high homocysteine to memory loss, brain fog, and increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
3. Blood Clotting: Elevated levels increase the risk of blood clots, including deep vein thrombosis.
4. Methylation Disruption: High homocysteine interferes with methylation, affecting detoxification, neurotransmitter production, DNA repair, and inflammation regulation.
5. Accelerated Aging: It contributes to increased oxidative stress and inflammation, which are fundamental to aging and chronic diseases.

The key is to address homocysteine before it creates these inflammatory problems.

Why Homocysteine Might Remain High

Even with B vitamin supplementation, homocysteine levels can remain elevated due to various factors:

1. Genetic Variations: Mutations in genes like MTHFR, CBS, or MTRR can impair B vitamin processing and homocysteine breakdown. You can check your genetics through DNA testing companies like SelfDecode.
2. Organ Function: Impaired kidney or liver function can hinder homocysteine clearance. It is important to check markers like eGFR and creatinine levels to check kidney function.
3. Inflammation and Oxidative Stress: Chronic inflammation slows methylation, while low antioxidant levels (e.g., glutathione) impair homocysteine processing.
4. Nutrient Deficiencies: Beyond B vitamins, deficiencies in zinc, magnesium, choline, and betaine can affect homocysteine metabolism.
5. Hormonal Imbalances: Thyroid issues and high cortisol levels can impact homocysteine regulation.
6. Medications and Lifestyle: Certain medications, smoking, alcohol consumption, and high red meat intake can elevate homocysteine levels.

How to Effectively Lower Homocysteine Naturally

A comprehensive step-by-step approach:

Step 1: Optimize B Vitamins

• Use methylated forms like Methylfolate (L-5-MTHF), Methylcobalamin (B12), Pyridoxal-5-Phosphate (P5P, B6), and Riboflavin-5-Phosphate (B2).

Step 2: Enhance Alternative Pathways

• Betaine (TMG): 500-3000 mg daily
• Choline-rich foods or supplements
• Zinc (15-30 mg/day) and Magnesium (200-400 mg/day)

Step 3: Reduce Inflammation and Oxidative Stress

• Glutathione boosters: NAC (600-1200 mg/day), Liposomal Glutathione
• Omega-3 fats (EPA/DHA: 2000-3000 mg/day)
• Anti-inflammatory agents: Curcumin, Resveratrol, Vitamin C (500-2000 mg/day)

Step 4: Improve Liver and Kidney Function

• Liver support: Milk Thistle, TUDCA, NAC, Alpha Lipoic Acid
• Kidney support: Hydration, electrolytes, proper blood pressure management

Step 5: Address Lifestyle and Hormonal Factors

• Treat thyroid issues, manage stress with adaptogens (Rhodiola, Ashwagandha), and maintain regular physical activity.

Key Takeaways

High homocysteine isn’t just a B-vitamin deficiency problem—it’s a complex issue influenced by genetics, organ function, inflammation, hormones, and lifestyle factors.

Addressing these underlying causes with a comprehensive, personalized approach is essential for long-term health.

If you’re struggling with high homocysteine levels, a detailed evaluation and personalized plan can make all the difference.

If you would like help testing or treating high homocysteine levels book a consultation. 

Tests to do 

Cardiovascular testing including homocysteine – you can find out more details here or if you have a consultation with Planet Naturopath we can customize a pathology test just for you.

CBC and CMP for liver and kidney function – this is part of a regular check up with your doctor, and should include the liver enzymes, plus eGFR and creatinine for kidney function.

Organic Acids test to assess cellular levels of B12, folate and other B vitamins, this test includes 70 markers in total.

Thyroid and sex hormones – it is important to assess TSH, Free T4 and Free T3 as a minimum when assessing thyroid function. With sex hormones you want to include Lh, FSH, testosterone, estrogen and progesterone and these can be ordered from our All Tests Available page. Or contact us for more information.

SelfDecode genetic test – this will give you over 600 Plus genetic reports on a wide range of health issues, including methylation and your risk of high homocysteine levels.