homocysteine

noun

ho·​mo·​cys·​te·​ine ˌhō-mō-ˈsi-stə-ˌēn  ˌhä- 

: an amino acid C₄H₉NO₂S that is produced in animal metabolism by the demethylation of methionine and that appears to be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease when occurring at high levels in the blood

Examples of homocysteine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This is important because high levels of homocysteine are associated with a higher risk of heart disease. —Erika Prouty, Verywell Health, 11 Apr. 2024

President Biden Has Begun Using a CPAP Machine for Sleep Apnea His lab work — which entailed a comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), urinalysis, complete blood count (CBC) and level checks of vitamin D, homocysteine, magnesium, folate and creatine kinase — returned normal. —Kyler Alvord, Peoplemag, 28 Feb. 2024

Attia’s preference for methylfolate is from Jarrow. Methylated B12 also positively affects our homocysteine, in addition to helping thwart anemia, in folks with B12 deficiencies. —Sean Evans, Robb Report, 14 Jan. 2024

McKeague's aim is to use SELEX to create aptamers to cheaply and accurately measure homocysteine in blood samples. —Eliza Strickland, Discover Magazine, 19 Nov. 2019

Folate, specifically, may impact brain health by helping manage levels of homocysteine, an amino acid in the blood associated with Alzheimer’s disease at high levels. —Lauren Manaker Ms, Rdn, Ld, Clec, Verywell Health, 17 Nov. 2023

Folic acid, or folate, plays a key role in protein and DNA synthesis, hemoglobin formation, and the metabolism of certain amino acids, such as homocysteine and glutamic acid. —Veronica Cristino, Vogue, 4 Aug. 2023

In high levels, homocysteine increases your risk for heart disease.6 3) May Improve Stamina Beets can potentially improve your exercise performance. —Selene Yeager, Health, 27 July 2023

The same study also suggested NAC may reduce your blood's homocysteine levels. —Nick Blackmer, Verywell Health, 21 June 2023

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary hom- + cysteine

First Known Use

1932, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

homocysteine

noun

ho·​mo·​cys·​te·​ine ˌhō-mō-ˈsis-tə-ˌēn  ˌhäm-ō- 

: an amino acid C₄H₉NO₂S that is produced in animal metabolism by the demethylation of methionine and forms a complex with serine that breaks up to produce cysteine and homoserine and that appears to be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease when occurring at high levels in the blood