Hyperhomocysteinemia Is Associated With a Myriad of Age-Related Illnesses: A Potential Role for Metal Toxicity

Pathophysiology of Hyperhomocysteinemia and Relation to Heavy Metal Exposure

Hyperhomocysteinemia is commonly caused by folate, vitamin B₁₂, vitamin B₆, and/or vitamin B₂ deficiencies due to either nutritional inadequacies or genetic predisposition.³ However, a number of other factors can influence or exacerbate hyperhomocysteinemia including impaired renal function³ and lifestyle-related factors such as smoking and coffee drinking.⁸ Two emerging and increasingly relevant determinants are environmental factors such as air pollution and toxic metal exposure. In a recent