Cardiovascular health.
DESCRIPTION
Homocystrolâ„¢ + TMG vegetarian capsules, provided by Douglas Laboratories, contain significant amounts of vitamins B-6, B-12, and folic acid, as well as trimethylglycine (betaine) and choline, needed for proper metabolism of homocysteine, and the support of metabolic synthetic processes requiring methyl donors.
FUNCTIONS
Homocysteinemia, or elevated plasma homocysteine, is a major, independent risk factor of cardiovascular disease. High plasma levels of homocysteine appear to injure the vasculature, impairing the functional abilities of endothelial and smooth muscle cells. Elevated homocysteine also appears to be thrombogenic. Suboptimal intake of several B vitamins, renal failure, and genetic defects in homocysteine metabolism can all contribute to abnormal homocysteine levels.
Homocysteine is a sulfur containing amino acid that is created in the body from methionine, an essential amino acid derived solely from dietary intake. Methionine is metabolized into homocysteine via an intermediate, S-adenosylmethionine. Homocysteine can be metabolized to produce cysteine, a nonessential sulfur-containing amino acid, or it can be remethylated to methionine. Whether the body needs cysteine or methionine will dictate which path homocysteine metabolism will take. Production of cysteine from homocysteine requires two specific enzymes for which vitamin B-6 is an essential coenzyme. Without adequate vitamin B-6,
homocysteine can not be metabolized into cysteine. The body can also metabolize homocysteine by remethylating it to methionine. The primary route by which homocysteine is remethylated to methionine requires methyltetrahydrofolate as a methyl donor and vitamin B-12 as a coenzyme. Methyltetrahydrofolate is synthesized in the body from dietary folic acid. Folic acid, vitamin B-12, and vitamin B-6 are necessary for the body to metabolize homocysteine. A deficiency or
suboptimal levels of any of these essential vitamins will cause plasma homocysteine levels to rise.
Dietary surveys and epidemiological studies indicate that suboptimal levels of folic acid, vitamin B-12, and vitamin B-6 are common in many population groups. Elderly individuals, smokers, alcoholics, and users of many medications, including estrogens and popular medications for cholesterol and blood glucose control, are at risk for subclinical deficiencies of one or more
of these B vitamins.
INDICATIONS
Homocystrolâ„¢ + TMG Vegetarian capsules may be a useful dietary supplement for individuals who wish to support their healthy homocysteine metabolism as well as their synthetic metabolic processes that require methyl donation.
FORMULA
Each Vcapsâ„¢ Vegetarian Capsule Contains:
Vitamin B-6 15 mg
(as Pyridoxine/Pyridoxal-5-Phosphate)
Folic Acid 400 mcg
Vitamin B-12 300 mcg
(Cyanocobalamin)
Trimethylglycine 333 mg
(Betaine)
Choline 23.5 mg
(from 50 mg Choline Bitartrate)
SUGGESTED USE
Adults take 1 capsule daily, or as directed by physician.
SIDE EFFECTS
No adverse effects have been reported.
STORAGE
Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct light. Keep out of reach of children.
