More Support for Vitamin C and Artery Health

The body needs vitamin C to form collagen, the main protein in the connective tissues and blood vessels. Scurvy, which is now rare, is disease that is caused by a severe vitamin C deficiency, which in turn prevents the production of collagen. In its worst forms, blood vessels weaken to the point of breaking, causing internal bleeding. While vitamin C deficiency was linked to scurvy in 1932, it is only in the past two decades that science has linked low vitamin C levels to atherosclerosis, more commonly known as "hardening of the arteries." A new Norwegian study has found that a diet rich in vitamin C may reduce the risk of atherosclerosis and may ultimately reduce the risk of heart disease.¹

In the new study, the researchers evaluated the intima media thickness (IMT) of the carotid artery in 563 men with an average age of 70. The men were part of a 3-year study that used ultrasound to determine the IMT throughout the course of the study. Originally designed to see if dietary omega-3 would make a difference in IMT, when the study found that omega-3 failed to make a difference, the researchers examined food-frequency questionnaires that had been taken throughout the study. The researchers found that those who had received dietary counseling to increase their intake of vitamin C, fruit, berries and vegetables showed improvements in IMT. After adjusting for other variables including consumption of dietary cholesterol and saturated fat, the researchers concluded that "Vitamin C containing foods may protect against the progression of carotid atherosclerosis in elderly men."

Our knowledge of the potential heart benefits of a diet rich in vitamin C has increased dramatically over the last decade. If you still think of vitamin C as just a "cold fighter" click here to learn more about the many benefits of vitamin C.

1. Ellingsen, I., I. Seljeflot, et al. (2009). "Vitamin C consumption is associated with less progression in carotid intima media thickness in elderly men: A 3-year intervention study." Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis 19(1): 8-14.