Written by Jessica Patella, ND. 70 participants with cardiovascular risk factors received 1000 mg vitamin C, 4oo IU vitamin E, 120 mg CoQ10, and 200 mg selenium per day or a placebo. Improvements were seen in systolic blood pressure 6.2%, large artery flexability 13.4%, small artery flexability 29.6%, a blood glucose marker by 10.6%, good cholesterol (HDL) by 18.5%, and triglycerides by 10%.
Oxidative stress has been shown to initiate and cause progression of atherosclerotic disease (2). Atherosclerotic disease occurs in the arteries when dead cells, lipids and cholesterol form plaques, eventually leading to stenosis (hardening of the arteries) (3). Stenosis causes the arteries to lose their natural elasticity and ultimately can increase blood pressure, lead to stroke and/or heart attack. Recent research shows that oxidative stress and atherosclerotic disease can be slowed and even reversed with antioxidant supplementation (1).
A recent randomized, placebo-controlled study included 70 participants with at least two cardiovascular risk factors (high blood pressure, diabetes, low HDL cholesterol, or current cigarette smoking). The participants were randomly assigned to receive daily oral supplementation with vitamin C (1000 mg/day), vitamin E (400 IU/day), coenzyme Q10 (120mg/day) and selenium (200mcg/day) or a placebo for six months (1).
After six months, significant changes were seen in the arterial health of those in the antioxidant supplement group. Systolic blood pressure decreased (145.2+/-25.4 to 136.1+/-22.3; p<0.001), diastolic blood pressure decreased (78.4 +/-11.7 to 75.0+/-12.3; p<0.034), large artery elasticity increased (11.0+/-4.4 to 12.7+/-4.7 ml/mmHgX100; p<0.006), and small artery elasticity increased (3.3+/-1.9 to 4.7+/-ml/mmHgX100; p<0.0001). There were no significant changes in heart rate or systemic vascular resistance. The placebo group did not have any significant changes (1).
Significant changes in metabolic and inflammatory markers were also seen in the antioxidant supplement group. Hemoglobin A1c, a blood glucose marker, decreased (7.08 +/-1.69% to 6.33+/-2.3%; p=0.022), HDL cholesterol increased (22.1+/-4% to 26.2+/-10%; p=0.022) and triglycerides decreased (189 +/-94mg/dl to 170.4 +/-72mg/dl; p=0.058). Again, there were no significant changes in the placebo group (1).
In conclusion, antioxidant supplementation with vitamin C, vitamin E, coenzyme Q10 and selenium significantly decreased blood pressure, increased large and small artery elasticity, improved glucose levels and improved cholesterol metabolism in individuals with multiple cardiovascular risk factors. Since oxidative stress is increased by many cardiovascular risk factors, individuals with multiple cardiovascular risk factors could benefit from antioxidant supplementation (1). Further research should be done including a larger number of participants, as well as testing for antioxidant blood levels.
Source: Shargorodsky, Marina, et al. “Effect of long-term treatment with antioxidants (vitamin C, vitamin E, coenzyme Q10 and selenium) on arterial compliance, humoral factors and inflammatory markers in patients with multiple cardiovascular risk factors.” Nutrition & metabolism 7.1 (2010): 55.
© 2010 Shargorodsky et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)
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Posted July 23, 2010.
References:
- Shargorodsky M, et al. Effect of long-term treatment with antioxidants (vitamin C, vitamin E, coenzyme Q10 and selenium) on arterial compliance, humoral factors and inflammatory markers in patients with multiple cardiovascular risk factors. Nutr &Metab 2010:7:55.
- Stocker R, Keaney Jr JF. Role of oxidative modification in atherosclerosis. Physiol Rev 2004; 84: 1381-1478.
- Atherosclerotic Disease. http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/463147-overview
