Maintaining a normal plasma homocysteine level has joined elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels as a leading concern for maintaining good cardiovascular health.* Plasma homocysteine levels are also associated with maintenance of bone, female reproductive, cognitive, and neurological health.* Numerous studies advocate the lowering of plasma homocysteine levels via nutritional supplementation.* A number of biochemical imbalances that can raise homocysteine levels can be addressed by supplementing with the appropriate nutrient cofactors. For example, folic acid (as L-5-methyltetrahydrofolate), vitamin B12 (as methylcobalamin), and betaine (trimethylglycine) are involved in recycling homocysteine to the amino acid methionine, while the breakdown of homocysteine into the beneficial amino acids cysteine and taurine can be facilitated by pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (the active form of vitamin B6).* Studies have shown these nutrients can help maintain normal plasma homocysteine levels.*

 

In addition to the beneficial homocysteine effects of the ingredients in Methyl-Guard, folic acid has been shown to help maintain the normal function of the arterial walls, allowing them to dilate more readily and enhance circulation.* Homocysteine levels can be increased in individuals in which the enzymatic reaction responsible for converting folic acid to the active methyl donor L-5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF) does not function properly; therefore, Methyl-Guard contains 400 mcg of active 5-MTHF per capsule.*

 

Maintaining normal homocysteine is important for good cognitive health.* A deficiency in homocysteine-metabolizing cofactors is commonly seen in the elderly, which can result in an increase in homocysteine levels with advancing age. Vascular structures can be adequately maintained when plasma homocysteine levels are normal by elevated homocysteine, thus helping to maintain cognitive health.* Elevated homocysteine levels associated with aging, as well as low levels of folic acid and vitamins B6 and B12, can result in the decreased methylation of numerous substances, including DNA and proteins, decreasing the integrity of vascular structures and neurons.* Providing the nutritional cofactors for homocysteine metabolism provides support for a healthy brain.*

 

Methyl-Guard was the first dietary formula on the market to promote homocysteine metabolism and is the only one that contains the active, body-ready forms of the homocysteine-metabolizing nutrient cofactors.*