Heart disease, stroke, cognitive decline, and depression are common conditions among middle-aged and older people. Although these diseases have different symptoms, they often share an abnormal laboratory marker: elevated homocysteine levels.
Despite this marker’s relative obscurity and infrequent testing by doctors, its importance should not be underestimated.
Homocysteine: A Key Health Indicator
Homocysteine is a sulfur-containing amino acid that is not directly obtained from the diet but is a byproduct of the metabolism of animal proteins in the body. It plays a crucial role in the body’s methylation cycle—a biochemical process involved in regulating neurotransmitters, DNA repair, and gene expression.
Jingduan Yang
M.D.
Dr. Jingduan Yang is a board-certified psychiatrist specializing in integrative and traditional Chinese medicine. He developed the ACES Model of Health and Medicine and leads clinical, educational, and research initiatives. As a principal founder of the Northern School of Medicine and Health Sciences, he advances whole-person care grounded in science, ethics, and humanity.
