Also, in a review that was just published in March, investigators conclude that “HHcy [(hyperhomocysteinemia or high homocysteine levels)] has been established as a risk factor and a risk marker for neurodegenerative diseases.  Hcy [(homocysteine)] is a surrogate marker for B vitamin deficiency, and in addition it also appears to be able to predict the occurrence and progression of dementia.... HHcy is among the most promising environmental risk factors for dementia which can be lowered easily by vitamin B therapy.”  As mentioned by  the authors, high homocysteine levels can be caused by low levels of important nutrients, particularly B vitamins.  Homocysteine is naturally formed from the amino acid methionine when a methyl group is lost from the methionine during normal metabolism.  B vitamins are necessary to re-methylate the homocysteine back to the very safe amino acid methionine.  If there is a deficiency in B vitamins, due to either dietary inadequacy or malabsorption, homocysteine levels will increase since the vitamin B-dependent methyl donors are unable to convert the toxic homocysteine back into methionine.  These high homocysteine levels are a risk factor for neurodegeneration.  The authors of this study also clearly state that “genetic factors do not explain or predict the majority of cases” of Alzheimer’s disease which means that environmental factors most likely play the key role in its development.  Now that researchers are slowly uncovering the (seemingly) direct correlation between nutritional status and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, there is yet another compelling reason to incorporate a low-fat, low-sugar whole foods diet full of valuable nutrients into your daily lifestyle.  Oh and, if your grandfather has Alzheimer’s disease it doesn't mean that you will too!!! Eat your veggies.

Laura Firetag ND Student Bastyr University