This personal scientific memoir describes how a chance observation concerning artery disease in children with rare inherited abnormalities of metabolism, often called experiments of Nature, led to the discovery of a new theory of heart disease, cancer and diseases of ageing. As explained in subsequent chapters, this new theory places the amino acid homocysteine at the heart of altered metabolism of diseases of ageing. Not only does this theory illuminate and explain the origin of these diseases, development of this theory logically leads to a novel and revolutionary metabolic and nutritional program for disease prevention and treatment, potentially benefiting individuals and populations.

More than 30 years ago, a young Harvard pathologist offered the medical community a theory for the cause of one of today's biggest killers-- heart disease. It is called the Homocysteine Theory and is the medical breakthrough that inspired Andrew Weil to label Dr. McCully as a visionary medical pioneer well ahead of his time. This discovery has the potential to save millions, yet ironically destroyed Dr. McCully's medical career. Homocysteine, a byproduct of metabolism, has been discovered to be a better risk indicator of heart disease than high cholesterol. A simple B6 vitamin and folic acid play a major role in controlling homocysteine levels. This proven theory will change the way the medical establishment views and treats heart disease. Today, the medical community is beginning to accept Dr. McCully's findings transforming his story from medical heresy to legitimate medicine. Updated and revised, complete with a new introduction by Walter Wilett, this eye opening book combines Dr. McCully's personal story and scientific philosophy with a fascinating exposition of his discovery and a special program to make use of this information to improve overall health.

This state-of-the-art review provides an in-depth and critical summary of homocysteine from its molecular basis to clinical relevance and current clinical trials of folic acid and vitamin B6. Written by leading workers in the field, the book provides an authoritative, comprehensive and thoroughly up-to-date overview for scientists and clinicians and any others engaged in the field. It will also be useful to anyone involved in managing vascular patients or cardiac risk factors, as well as biochemists, pharmacologists, general physicians, cardiologists and clinical and basic researchers with an interest in preventive medicine.

Explaining the practical implications of new discoveries in 'life-course biology', Nutrition and Lifestyle for Pregnancy and Breastfeeding is an informed resource on factors that affect offspring development. The impact of parental lifestyle and behavioural choices influence not only fetal development and birth outcomes, but also postnatal development, yet guidance on appropriate diet, behaviour, and exposures during pregnancy is often confusing and contradictory. With accessible explanations of the latest scientific research, and clear summaries and recommendations, this book is a valuable and authoritative guide for all levels of health care providers. The authors provide an overview of the background evidence, highlighting the importance of lifestyle choices prior to and during pregnancy. In-depth discussions of nutritional and lifestyle factors that impact on pregnancy and offspring outcomes are based on the latest research and exploration of key scientific studies. Nutrition and Lifestyle for Pregnancy and Breastfeeding is a manual offering both scientific and clinical evidence to empower health care providers and ensure they have the information necessary to confidently care for prospective and new parents.

The goal of Discovery: Science as a Window to the World is to relay the excitement of sciene by exploring selected topics in biology and medicine in a way that reveals the process of discovery. Each chapter will focus on the curiosity and creativity that drives scientists to wonder, observe, question and experiment. One impetus for this project is the recognition of a growing demand among instructors for a book that departs from fact-stuffed textbooks and instead engages students in the discovery process at a personal level. Emphasizes the process of discovery through interviews and key experiments. Written by a best-selling author. Provides an in-depth, conversational look at the science behind several "hot topics" in biology. Each chapter traces the beginnings of the field with stories of how serendipity and scientific inquiry intertwine. Presents the background to a field by including the scientific literature-so the reader does not have to do a literature search or plow through a review article. Many essays introduce the work of overlooked scientists or "unsung heroes." Alexey Olovnikov (telomeres), Leroy Steven (stem cells), to name a few. Also, well-known scientists are interviewed: Stanley Miller, Carl Woese, John Gearhart, and others. The essays show how ideas interact and coalesce from different lines of research. Highlights the role of the media in interpreting science for the public.

This book is a printed edition of the Special Issue "The Origin and Evolution of the Genetic Code: 100th Anniversary Year of the Birth of Francis Crick" that was published in Life

Jump-start your body’s SAMe production and reduce the risk of heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, depression, and other age-related diseases. Suddenly everyone is buzzing about SAMe, an extraordinary natural chemical we all manufacture. When SAMe levels are increased, some amazing things start happening—many people have found relief from such debilitating illnesses as depression and liver disease. Now, based on his own revolutionary findings, Dr. Paul Frankel explains a safe, natural, groundbreaking program of supplements, diet changes, and lifestyle modification that will enhance your body’s natural methylation process—the one that creates SAMe. This biochemical reaction also reduces the risk of cancer, premature aging, and heart disease as well as protecting our bodies from harmful toxins, promoting optimum health and well-being. Discover The Methylation Miracle today and find out how this extraordinary program can dramatically improve your health, and enhance the quality and duration of your life!

This book helps clinicians to optimally and appropriately utilize homocysteine levels in the diagnosis, prediction and management of and research into vascular disease and many other conditions. It also familiarizes readers with the pathophysiology and clinical implications of hyperhomocysteinemia. Laboratory investigations are gaining importance in the diagnosis and prognosis of patients, and as such, scientists and laboratorians are constantly attempting to identify new markers that will help in earlier diagnosis and better prognostication of conditions with high morbidity and mortality, as well as high prevalence. According to the WHO, developing countries are home to 80% of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and stroke – conditions with a mortality second only to cancer. Intensive research in these areas has resulted in the identification of homocysteine (declared the ‘marker of the millennium’) and several new markers for the diagnosis and prediction of CAD and stroke. The book is a valuable resource for clinicians and consultants in practice, as well as for postgraduate and undergraduate students of medicine, biotechnology and biochemistry.

This is an unusually comprehensive 2001 account of the broad range of medical implications of homocysteine.

New updated edition first published with Cambridge University Press. This new edition includes 29 chapters on topics as diverse as pathophysiology of atherosclerosis, vascular haemodynamics, haemostasis, thrombophilia and post-amputation pain syndromes.