title: Life-style habits and homocysteine levels in an elderly population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Increased plasma total homocysteine (Hcy) is a known cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor, related to several components of the established CVD risk profile. Observational studies support the role of modifying life-style related risk factors such as diet, physical activity and alcohol consumption in CVD prevention. Regular physical activity protects against coronary artery disease, possibly through its role in controlling risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus and obesity, but also independently. The aim of our study was to test the hypothesis that there is an association between physical activity, life-style habits and plasma Hcy levels in an elderly population.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this cross-sectional study, 423 males and females aged 69.0 +/- 6.7 years completed an interview and laboratory examinations. Our main outcome measure was plasma levels of Hcy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean Hcy values were 10.5 +/- 5.5 micromol/L (11.4 +/- 6.1 for males and 9.3 +/- 4.5 for females; p < 0.001). Smoking and BMI were not found to be associated with Hcy levels. Physically active subjects, as well as B vitamin supplement users, had significantly lower Hcy levels (p = 0.002 and p = 0.004, respectively). In a multiple linear regression model, the Hcy level was 10% higher amongst participants with a sedentary life-style, 17% higher amongst males, 1% higher for each one-year increment in age, and 10% higher amongst participants who used no B vitamin supplements.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Any level of physical activity was found to be an independent life-style habit associated with a lower Hcy level in an elderly population. This study supports existing recommendations for elderly persons to maintain a physically active life-style.
authors.affiliation: Unit for Cardiovascular Epidemiology, Gertner Institute for Epidemiology and Health Policy Research, Tel Hashomer, Israel. racheld@gertner.health.gov.il
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dankner
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chetrit
authors.forename: Flora
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lubin
authors.forename: Ben-Ami
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Sela
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006184:Habits; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012727:Sex Characteristics
chemical_list: D006710:Homocysteine