Protein May Increase Risk of Stroke, Alzheimer's
(New York, Health Reuter's, 10 /3/02)

Dr. Stephen P. McIlroy of the Queens University of Belfast, Ireland and team tested the level of the amino acid, homosysteine, in 64 stroke victims, 83 Alzheimer patients, 78 adults with vascular dementia and 71 healthy elderly individuals. The researchers found that, compared to the healthy participants, victims of stroke or vascular dementia were 5 times more likely to have elevated homocysteine; while the levels for Alzheimer's patients were nearly 3 times more likely to be elevated. These findings raise the possibility that the risk of stroke and Alzheimer's may be lowered by controlling homocysteine levels with nutrients, like B vitamins.