High Homocysteine

Homocysteine is an amino acid (protein building block) made in the body and found in the blood. Ideally it should only be present in very low quantities, as high homocysteine levels have been linked with a number of chronic diseases including:

  • Heart attacks
  • Strokes
  • Diabetes
  • Certain cancers
  • Depression
  • Alzheimer’s disease and dementia

 

In a healthy body homocysteine is quickly turned into one of two beneficial substances: glutathione, the body’s very own antioxidant, or SAMe, a brain chemical linked to mood.

If your diet isn’t optimal these conversions can’t happen and homocysteine can build up. Some people also have an inherited genetic quirk that impairs their ability to convert homocysteine into beneficial substances.

Contributory factors associated with high homocysteine

Other factors that increase your chance of having high homocysteine include:

  • Insufficient intake of certain nutrients – especially folic acid, vitamin B12 and B6
  • Family history of chronic disease
  • Increasing age
  • Being male
  • Oestrogen deficiency eg in post menopausal women
  • Excessive intake of tea, coffee or alcohol
  • Smoking
  • Lack of exercise
  • Inflammatory bowel disease
  • Pregnancy
  • Being strict vegetarian or vegan
  • High fat diet that’s rich in red meat and dairy
  • High salt intake
 

Homocysteine can be measured by a simple blood test and this is an excellent way of assessing your risk of chronic disease, especially for those in high risk groups. 

Click here to buy the Homocysteine Test

Simple diet, supplement and lifestyle changes can significantly lower your homocysteine. Please use the link at the bottom of this page to find out how Smart Nutrition can help.

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US Custom changes Aug 29 2025

Every US shipment, regardless of value or content, must now undergo full entry with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

Our lab partners are working hard to reduce the impact of these new customs procedures on returning US bound test samples.

Unfortunately this change may impact your test results turnaround time

  • Transit times may be longer due to increased customs processing.

  • Samples may be delayed or held while clearance is completed.

If you have already sent back your sample and it is directly affected by these customs delays, our team will contact you individually to advise on the next steps.

We know how vital timely testing is for you and we greatly value your understanding while these changes take effect.

We expect the situation to improve as customs processes adjust, and we will provide updates as this develops.

Please do not return samples to the laboratories that may arrive after Wednesday 27th March and up to and including Monday 2nd April.

The laboratories are closed from the 28th March – 2nd April for the Easter Holiday.