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

The folate in beets helps lower homocysteine levels, an amino acid that can damage blood vessels and contribute to heart disease. —Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 18 Sep. 2025

Betaine helps lower levels of homocysteine, another amino acid used by your body to make proteins. —Lindsey Desoto, Health, 9 Sep. 2025

There were perturbations in levels of omega-6 fatty acid, homocysteine, total protein, bilirubin and a host of other things. —Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025

Since high levels of homocysteine are linked to heart disease, methylated vitamins support cardiovascular health. —Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 7 Jan. 2025

There isn’t clear evidence, for example, that taking B vitamins to lower homocysteine levels actually reduces risk for heart problems. —IEEE Spectrum, 28 May 2015

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