Daily supplements of vitamin C, vitamin E, coenzyme Q10 and selenium significantly improved the elasticity of arteries, and levels of HDL cholesterol in people with multiple cardiovascular risk factors, according to findings published in Nutrition & Metabolism.
“This beneficial vascular effect was associated with an improvement in glucose and lipid metabolism as well as significant decrease in blood pressure,” said lead researcher Reuven Zimlichman from Wolfson Medical Center, Israel.
The study involved 70 people with high blood pressure, diabetes, low HDL cholesterol levels, or who were smokers. The average age of the subjects was 62. The participants were randomly assigned to received either a placebo or a daily antioxidant supplement containing vitamin C (1000 mg per day), vitamin E (400 International Units per day), coenzyme Q10 (120 mg per day) and selenium (200 micrograms per day).
Six months later, and the researchers noted that people in the antioxidant group exhibited significant increases in arterial elasticity index, a measure of the flexibility – and therefore the health – of blood vessels. Specifically, the large arterial elasticity index increased from 11 to 12.7 ml/mm Hg x100, while no changes were observed in the placebo group.
Furthermore, both systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased significantly, with the former dropping from 145.2 to 136.1 mmHg, while the later dropped from 78.4 to 75.0 mmHg, said the researchers.
Significant improvements were also observed in HDL cholesterol levels for the antioxidant group, said the researchers, but not in the placebo group.
How?
Commenting on the potential mechanism, the Israeli researchers note that previous studies have indicated that vitamins C and E may protect DNA from damage, enhance antioxidant defenses and restore the health of the cells lining blood vessels (endothelium). In addition co-Q10 “plays an essential role as an electron carrier in mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, improves endothelial dysfunction in diabetic patients”. They also note that selenium, via its role in various antioxidative enzymes, “provides significant protection of the coronary artery endothelium against damage by oxidative stress”.
Anyone can view this
