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Step to the "beet"
By Dr. Jonathan Wright on 03/08/2012
Question: I read that many medical experts now believe that elevated levels of homocysteine--not high cholesterol--are the main cause of cardiovascular disease in Western society. Some say it's good to eat beets because they contain betaine, an important source of a molecule that accelerates the detoxification of homocysteine and transforms it into cysteine, a safe amino acid. Do you have any more information about this?
Dr. Wright: High cholesterol (especially with low HDL cholesterol) and elevated homocysteine are both recognized as independent risk factors for cardiovascular disease. But many other risk factors exist, including elevated C-reactive protein (a marker for inflammation in the cardiovascular system), elevated fibrinogen (a precursor of fibrin, a clotting factor), low serum free testosterone (for men), low tissue magnesium, and others.
Three vitamins in particular are known to lower homocysteine: vitamins B6, B12, and folic acid. But betaine, which is found in relatively high amounts in beets, can also help (although I haven't seen research on this precise point).
Betaine is also the "carrier" for the hydrochloric acid commonly taken by individuals with low stomach acid (gastric hypochlorhydria) to help digest their meals. In people with high levels of homocysteine and low stomach acid, I have observed betaine hydrochloride to function as a "twofer"--it helps digest your food and lowers homocysteine at the same time.
To get a better picture of your own cardiovascular risk, have a physician skilled and knowledgeable in nutritional and natural medicine evaluate all known risk factors. It's quite possible to have normal cholesterol and homocysteine, yet still develop significant cardiovascular disease, but having control of all testable risk factors definitely lowers your risk.
Related articles & videos of interest:
Beat Blood Pressure Problems with One Natural Food
From Heart Disease to Cancer: The Many Healthy Benefits of Beets
Monsanto's GMO Alfalfa is a threat to U.S. food and agriculture
Root Vegetable Fights High Blood Pressure & Dementia Naturally
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Jonathan V. Wright, M.D. has degrees from both Harvard University (cum laude) and the University of Michigan. More than any other doctor, he practically invented the modern science of applied nutritional biochemistry and he has advanced nutritional medicine for nearly three decades.
As of today, Dr. Wright has received over 35,000 patient visits at his now-famous Tahoma Clinic in Washington State.
To learn more about Dr. Wright, and to sign up for his free Health e-Tips eLetter, please visit www.wrightnewsletter.com.
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saigonclassicalguitar
hi Dr Jonathan iam glad that i talk to you and asking medical advice, my problem is (pains travel both side of my necks and up behind my head,both my eyes are blurry and felling dizziness and felling faint and more pains came/go on my bodies, my blood pressure is 121/79, i have no diabetes or cholestero, has my eyes check by MD DR found ok. the pains is so bad up behind my head feel like stroke, my Dr look at my M.R.I and say that i have disc bulging, no5 thank you very much
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