From The International Health News...
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM.
Further study on the possible links between vitamin C and ischemic heart disease suggests that vitamin C has antiinflammatory effects and is associated with lower levels of markers for inflammation and hemostasis (blood clotting). Researchers from the Royal Free and University College Medical School gathered data on 3,258 British men aged 60 to 79 years, who were free of heart disease and diabetes. The men's fruit and vegetable and vitamin C intakes were measured using a questionnaire. Results showed that higher vitamin C levels in the blood plasma, higher fruit intake, and higher dietary vitamin C intake were all linked significantly with lower levels of markers of inflammation and hemostasis - specifically C-reactive protein, and tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) antigen, a marker of endothelial dysfunction (damaging changes to the cells lining the heart and blood vessels). Those in the top quarter for plasma vitamin C had a 44 per cent lower risk of elevated C-reactive protein, and a 21 per cent lower risk of elevated t-PA, compared with the lowest quarter, report the authors. Plasma vitamin C was also inversely linked to fibrinogen concentrations and blood viscosity. The reduction in risk in the highest quarter for fruit intake was 24 per cent for both elevated C-reactive protein and t-PA. Weaker links were found for vegetable intake. Dietary vitamin C was significantly associated with C-reactive protein and t-PA. These results confirm previous findings that plasma and dietary vitamin C levels have are inversely associated with some markers of greater risk of cardiovascular disease among white men. Large randomized trials of the effect of vitamin C supplementation on markers of inflammation and hemostasis would be useful, they conclude. In an accompanying editorial, researchers from the University of California, Davis Medical Center discuss whether vitamin C is an anti-inflammatory agent by considering possible mechanisms behind the effect. They explain that attempts to control inflammation may prove central to the fight against cardiovascular disease, and the antioxidant vitamin C may play a role, although its effects on inflammation remain unclear. They point out several limitations of the UK study, adding that supplementation studies have failed to find reductions in inflammatory markers, and conclude that the effect is far from certain. Wannamethee, S. G. et al. Associations of vitamin C status, fruit and vegetable intakes, and markers of inflammation and hemostasis. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 83, March 2006, pp. 567-74 Jialal, I. and Singh, U. Is vitamin C an antiinflammatory agent? American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 83, March 2006, pp. 525-26
See Linus Paulings views on what Vitamin C can do...
Christopher Wiechert, C.N.C.
Christopher Wiechert's Healthblogger is for educational or informational purposes only, and is not intended to diagnose or provide treatment for any condition. If you have any concerns about your own health, you should always consult with a healthcare professional. If you decide to use this information on your own, it's your constitutional right, but I assume no responsibility.
Visit our website at: www.cwiechert.com
Have your nutritional questions answered by e-mail: www.cwiechert.com/QAMAIL.html
