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Abstract

Homocysteine, an amino acid in the blood, has been implicated in various pathophysiological processes, including endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress, which contribute to atherogenesis. Elevated homocysteine levels are associated with decreased availability of nitric oxide (NO), increased intracellular oxidative stress, and activation of pro-atherogenic mechanisms. This review examines the potential of vitamin B6, vitamin B12, folic acid, betaine, and 5-methyl tetrahydrofolate in lowering homocysteine levels. These nutrients act through different mechanisms to reduce homocysteine concentrations, potentially mitigating the associated adverse effects on cardiovascular health. Current clinical trials are investigating the efficacy of folate supplementation in homocysteine reduction. This abstract summarizes the role of these nutrients in homocysteine metabolism and their impact on vascular health, highlighting the ongoing research efforts in this area.