In the context of heart protection, what mechanism is directly associated with Folate's role regarding homocysteine?
It helps lower circulating levels of the amino acid homocysteine
The cardiovascular benefits derived from consuming collard greens are multifaceted, involving fiber, fatty acids, and specific B vitamins like Folate. Folate plays a targeted role in vascular health by managing the presence of homocysteine, an amino acid whose elevated levels in circulation have been identified as a contributing factor to conditions such as the hardening of the arteries and the formation of blood clots. The mechanism specific to Folate is its biochemical activity that assists in reducing or lowering these circulating levels of homocysteine. This action complements the work of soluble fiber, which separately tackles elevated LDL cholesterol levels through binding mechanisms in the digestive tract and stimulating the liver to utilize circulating cholesterol for bile salt production.
