Deficiency and Disease - A Common Thread

You may be surprised to learn that conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease, dementia, diabetes and depression often have one thing in common-a deficiency in omega-3 fatty acids and essential B vitamins including folic acid.

So which came first, the disease or the deficiency? It is not clear whether these diseases contribute to deficiencies or whether insufficient dietary intakes of these essential nutrients lead to the onset and deterioration associated with these diseases.

Statistics confirm that Americans have the lowest intake of essential omega-3 fatty acids of any developed country. DHA, the omega-3 that is present in every cell membrane of the human body and highly concentrated in the brain, retina of the eye and the heart, is vital to good health.

According to Dr. Barbara Levine of Weill Cornell Medical College, "Increasing the intake of omega-3 fatty acids, including DHA and EPA, has been clinically shown to reduce severity of these diseases, so that patients are often able to reduce or eliminate medications that have serious adverse reactions."

Patients diagnosed with these diseases require medical attention. For example, rheumatoid arthritis patients and diabetics are often at greater risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

The increased risk of heart disease in these patients is linked to an increase in homocysteine levels, which is a risk factor for heart disease and other disease states. Homocysteine is a substance in the body that can be measured by a physician and may help predict potential disease.

The good news is that many people are using an increased dietary intake of folic acid, vitamins B6 and B12 to lower elevated homocysteine levels.

A combination product is being prescribed by many physicians to address the deficiencies associated with these diseases.

Animi-3 is considered to be a valuable addition to the treatment regimen of these diseases. Doctors have referred to it as the ideal combination of ingredients. The prescription-only product contains specially formulated and highly refined DHA-dominant omega-3, folic acid, B6 and B12.

If you've been diagnosed with one of these diseases, you may want to talk with your doctor about your possible deficiencies, risk factors and Animi-3.

Statistics show Americans have the lowest intake of DHA in their diets.

What does it mean to have high homocysteine levels?

Homocysteine is an amino acid produced when proteins are broken down. A high homocysteine level, also called hyperhomocysteinemia, can contribute to arterial damage and blood clots in your blood vessels.

High homocysteine levels usually indicate a deficiency in vitamin B-12 or folate.

A normal level of homocysteine in the blood is less than 15 micromoles per liter (mcmol/L) of blood. Higher levels of homocysteine are split into three main categories:

Moderate: 15-30 mcmol/L

Intermediate: 30-100 mcmol/L

Severe: greater than 100 mcmol/L

Elevated homocysteine symptoms

Hyperhomocysteinemia itself usually does not cause any symptoms in adults, though it can in children. Symptoms can also vary from one person to the next and be subtle.

Doctors may order a homocysteine test if they suspect you have a vitamin deficiency, and if you begin exhibiting symptoms of a vitamin deficiency.

Symptoms of a vitamin B-12 deficiency include:

pale skin

weakness

fatigue

tingling sensations (like pins and needles) in the hands, arms, legs, or feet

dizziness

mouth sores

mood changes

Symptoms of a folate deficiency are often subtle and are similar to those of a B-12 deficiency. These include:

fatigue

mouth sores

tongue swelling

growth problems

Symptoms of vitamin deficiency anemia overlap with those of B-12 and folate deficiencies, also causing additional symptoms:

fatigue

muscle weakness and unsteady movements

pale or yellowish skin

personality changes

shortness of breath or dizziness

irregular heartbeat

numbness or tingling in hands and feet

mental confusion or forgetfulness

weight loss

Causes of high homocysteine levels

Many factors contribute to high homocysteine levels. If you have a folate or B vitamin deficiency, you may develop hyperhomocysteinemia.

Other risk factors include:

low thyroid hormone levels

psoriasis

kidney disease

certain medications

genetics

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Deficiency and Disease - A Common Thread

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