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Can Vitamins Reduce The Risk Of Heart Disease?
By Ng Peng Hock
The interest in Vitamins A, C, and E stems from their antioxidant properties. Antioxidants interfere with the complex process through which LDL cholesterol starts plaque formation. Some animal studies and at least one human study also suggested that Vitamin C can improve the level of protective HDL cholesterol.
Antioxidants are molecules that work to reduce the damage done to cells and to DNA by free radicals: charged particles found in the environment and caused by everyday biological processes. It is clear that foods with rich antioxidants can reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease, and scientists have been working to isolate the particular compounds responsible.
But, people who hope vitamins can protect their hearts actually need to eat healthy foods instead of popping pills, according to the statement made by the American Heart Association in August 2004.
A group of researchers, led by Professor Penny Kris-Etherton from Pennsylvania State University, had conducted a review of various studies on whether supplements can reduce heart disease risk. The results of the study, published in the journal Circulation, actually showed that vitamin pills have virtually no effect on reducing the risk of heart disease. There is little reason to advice individuals to take antioxidant supplements such as A and C to reduce cardiovascular disease.
Several research studies have also shown that people who took antioxidant supplements did not have a lower risk of cancer or heart disease, and one important Finnish study showed that male smokers who took supplements actually had a higher risk of lung cancer.
In another study conducted by the researchers at the Cleveland Clinic (CCF) had found that vitamin E did not actually provide any benefit in lowering mortality compared to control treatments, and it did not significantly decrease the risk of cardiovascular death or stroke. The lack of any beneficial effect was seen consistently regardless of the doses of vitamins used and the diversity of the patient populations. Therefore, the CCF researchers conclude that their study does not support the routine use of vitamin E.
All the studies mentioned above do not show any evidence that could support the fact that use of "vitamin supplements" such as A, C and E can benefit people with heart disease. Nonetheless, it is unarguable that the antioxidant properties of these vitamins do provide beneficial effect to reduce risk of heart disease.
Nutritionists and doctors now argued that it is probably a combination of compounds in foods that give the healthy antioxidant benefits. As such, the American Heart Association continues to promote a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, legumes, poultry and lean meats to derive antioxidant vitamin benefits.
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