16 November 2011
Low vitamin C levels may increase the risk of complications in patients with heart failure, says a new Korean study.
In the observational study, the relationship between vitamin C intake and blood concentrations of the high sensitivity C-Reactive protein (hsCRP) – a marker for inflammation and increased risk of cardiovascular disease – was examined in 212 heart failure patients using a four-day food diary and bloods tests (1). The participants were divided into two groups (one with levels over 3 mg/L of hsCRP, and another with lower levels) and followed for one year to determine the length of time to their first visit to the emergency department due to cardiac problems or death. The study results showed that 39% of the patients had inadequate vitamin C intakes. Low vitamin C intake was associated with a higher level of hsCRP and shorter intervals without major cardiac issues or death. Participants with low vitamin C intake and hsCRP over
3 milligrams per liter (mg/L) were nearly twice as likely to die from cardiovascular disease within one year.
The researchers concluded that an adequate intake of vitamin C is associated with lower levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, which seems to be linked to longer cardiac-event-free survival in patients. Randomized controlled trials and longitudinal prospective studies would be needed to determine the impact of other micronutrients on the survival or rehospitalization of heart failure patients.
Elevated concentrations of the protein hsCRP have been linked to a heightened state of inflammation in the body. Inflammation (swelling) of the arteries is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases such as heart disease, heart attack, sudden death, stroke, and peripheral arterial disease. The Physicians Health Study, a clinical trial involving 18,000 apparently healthy physicians, was the first large study to show that elevated levels of CRP were associated with a threefold increase in the risk of heart attack (2).
10 February 2014
According to a new US study women with low vitamin D levels in the first 26 weeks of their pregnancy may be at risk of developing severe preeclampsia, posing a high health risk to the mother and child.
1 June 2014
The amount of knowledge and information about the role of vitamin D in the human body has increased in recent years. It is considered certain that vitamin D is essential for the absorption of calcium and thus for the formation and maintenance of strong bones.
17 March 2017
