Vitamin C and Vitamin E Reduced Post-Heart Attack Deaths in Diabetics
An interesting new study published in the journal Cardiology reported that giving vitamin C and vitamin E to diabetic patients who had recently had a heart attack significantly reduced their mortality during the thirty days after their attack.
The study was part of the MIVIT (Myocardial Infarction and Vitamins) study, a clinical trial designed to determine the safety and outcome of vitamins C and E in patients who have had a heart attack. Diabetic and non-diabetic heart attack patients were given intravenous infusions of 1000 mg of vitamin C, followed by a 3x daily oral administration of vitamin C (400 mg of vitamin E 200 mg). A control group was given a placebo.
Over the next thirty days, there was no significant difference in the death rate of the non-diabetic patients and the placebo group, but there was a huge difference in the death rate among the diabetics. Diabetic heart attack patients receiving the vitamins were a whopping 68% less likely to die!
One reason for the dramatic effect on diabetics may have to do with the enormous amount of oxidative stress and damage that happens in the bodies of diabetics.
Oxidative stress- or free radical damage- is an important part of the damage wrecked by diabetes. These free radicals damage arteries and increase the risk of complications and heart disease.
And elevated blood sugar significantly raises the levels of these free radicals, adding to the damage. (Yet another reason a low-sugar diet is such a good idea- but I digress.)
Vitamin C has been shown to increase blood flow and decrease inflammation in patients with both diabetes and coronary artery disease, and vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant.
Any vitamin, mineral, phytochemical, phenol, flavonoid, or any other member of the nutrient kingdom that helps fight oxidative stress and lower inflammation is a good thing, whether you're a diabetic or not. But diabetics and people with elevated blood sugar may have an even greater need for powerful antioxidants and anti-inflammatories.
The study was part of the MIVIT (Myocardial Infarction and Vitamins) study, a clinical trial designed to determine the safety and outcome of vitamins C and E in patients who have had a heart attack. Diabetic and non-diabetic heart attack patients were given intravenous infusions of 1000 mg of vitamin C, followed by a 3x daily oral administration of vitamin C (400 mg of vitamin E 200 mg). A control group was given a placebo.
Over the next thirty days, there was no significant difference in the death rate of the non-diabetic patients and the placebo group, but there was a huge difference in the death rate among the diabetics. Diabetic heart attack patients receiving the vitamins were a whopping 68% less likely to die!
One reason for the dramatic effect on diabetics may have to do with the enormous amount of oxidative stress and damage that happens in the bodies of diabetics.
Oxidative stress- or free radical damage- is an important part of the damage wrecked by diabetes. These free radicals damage arteries and increase the risk of complications and heart disease.
And elevated blood sugar significantly raises the levels of these free radicals, adding to the damage. (Yet another reason a low-sugar diet is such a good idea- but I digress.)
Vitamin C has been shown to increase blood flow and decrease inflammation in patients with both diabetes and coronary artery disease, and vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant.
Any vitamin, mineral, phytochemical, phenol, flavonoid, or any other member of the nutrient kingdom that helps fight oxidative stress and lower inflammation is a good thing, whether you're a diabetic or not. But diabetics and people with elevated blood sugar may have an even greater need for powerful antioxidants and anti-inflammatories.
Jonny Bowden, PhD, C.N.S. is a nationally known expert on weight loss, nutrition and health and is the author of several best-selling books.
Interesting how all diseases seem to stem from oxidative stress and inflammation, and the prevention of the latter. On a similar note, as we know that highly processed foods with a high refined-carb content can have a negative effect on the health of diabetics and everyone in general, I thought readers of your blog might enjoy an even more detailed list of the glycemic load and glycemic index of foods than the one from the Harvard Medical School. You may access it here: http://www.mendosa.com/gilists.htm
Interestingly enough, and as expected, all the foods you can hunt, fish, pick or pluck are way below the levels that are considered "healthier" (i.e. a GI under 50 GI and a GL under 10).
In good health!
Eric
Thank you Eric!
That Mendosa list- the definitive one- is also posted on my website under "helpful websites"
thanks!
jb
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