Vitamin deficiencies may impact cardiovascular health. Vitamins in foods are naturally combined with minerals, bioflavonoids and other micronutrients that often aid their absorption and functions. To prevent health risks, seek the advice of a health care professional before using high doses of isolated components available in supplements. Vitamin deficiencies may be caused by an unhealthy lifestyle, poor diet, alcoholism, digestive diseases, surgery or serious illness.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D, the sunshine vitamin, has traditionally been associated with bone health because it helps the absorption of calcium, a mineral that also affects muscles, including the heart. Since modern people spend so much time indoors and avoid sunlight to reduce their risk of skin cancer, vitamin D deficiency is now widespread. Italian researcher L. Masccitelli and colleagues, of the Servizio Santiario in Udine, call the problem a "global pandemic" and link it to the development of high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, heart failure and atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries. The report, published in the May 2010 "Recenti Progressi in Medicina," states that correction of vitamin D deficiency is an inexpensive intervention which can favorably affect the morbidity and mortality of cardiovascular diseases.
B Vitamins
Vitamin B-9, or folate, is found in green leafy vegetables and citrus. Many people do not eat enough of these foods. Vitamin B-12 is found in animal products, such as meat, milk and eggs. B-12 must be separated from protein foods by stomach acid and enzymes and then absorbed by intrinsic factor, which is produce in the digestive tract. A lack of the components needed to absorb B-12 can result in deficiency, even when enough good foods are ingested. Vitamin B-6, or pyridoxine, is found in whole grains, beans, peanuts, fish, carrots, spinach, peas and potatoes. Together these and other B vitamins break down homocysteine, an amino acid. The American Heart Association reports that high levels of homocysteine in the blood are associated with an increased risk of heart disease and stroke. The body also requires folate and B-12 for the proper division of red blood cells. Deficiency of these vitamins may lead to megaloblastic anemia, in which enlarged red blood cells do not divide normally. With fewer red blood cells, there is inadequate hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying component in blood. Chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, fatigue and rapid heart rate may occur. MedlinePlus states that low oxygen levels in the heart can lead to a heart attack.
Antioxidants
Vitamin E, found in almonds, green leafy vegetables and fortified cereals may prevent the oxidation of fats, a part of the process that leads to hardening of the arteries. Vitamin C is thought to reduce inflammation and to prevent damage to artery walls, thereby guarding against atherosclerosis, high blood pressure and coronary artery disease. Scurvy, or vitamin C deficiency, is now a rare disease in the U.S., occurring mostly in malnourished elderly adults. Symptoms of scurvy include bleeding gums, bruising, and weakness. MayoClinic.com states that vitamin C deficiency is also a cause of megaloblastic anemia.
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