Arteriosclerosis is a chronic condition in which the blood vessels inside your body become blocked. The way you lead your life, specifically your diet, can affect the health of your blood vessels. Eating too much cholesterol or saturated fats is one aspect of an unhealthy diet. But your vitamin intake may also influence the progression of arteriosclerosis. Vitamins C, E and D may help prevent the buildup of plaque inside your arteries.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is known as an antioxidant vitamin. Antioxidants have the power to neutralize free radicals. These are cells that, through natural processes, have become oxidized and can cause serious harm to the body, including initiating or worsening arteriosclerosis. Vitamin C functions in two helpful ways against arteriosclerosis. First, vitamin C's antioxidant properties can help protect the blood vessels from damage and the progression of plaque buildup. The second mechanism has to do with vitamin C's interaction with a commonly prescribed heart medication, nitroglycerin. This is prescribed to people with known arteriosclerosis as a means to help prevent a heart attack or chest pain by increasing the dilation of the coronary arteries. Over time, though, nitroglycerin loses its effect. Taking vitamin C with nitroglycerin can extend the effects of nitroglycerin on the coronary vessels, reducing the likelihood of a heart attack.
Vitamin D
Two studies conducted by the Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute in 2010 have connected a vitamin D deficiency with heart disease. The first study examined 4,700 patients, including their vitamin D levels and risk of cardiovascular disease. After treatment to increase vitamin D levels, 47 percent of the participants reduced their cardiovascular risk factors. The second study followed 31,000 patients with either low, medium or high vitamin D levels. An increase to above-normal levels of vitamin D reduced death, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, heart failure, heart attack and high blood pressure.
Vitamin D Mechanism
The mechanism of action at play between vitamin D and heart disease is becoming more evident, specifically because of a study from the Emory/Georgia Tech Predictive Health Institute conducted in 2011. Researchers analyzed the vitamin D blood content and the pliability and function of blood vessels. Lower than normal vitamin D resulted in abnormal blood vessel functioning. More rigid blood vessels means a greater likelihood of injury, which is the first step in the development of arteriosclerosis.
Vitamin E
A characteristic of the development of plaque inside arterial walls is the oxidation of low density lipoprotein cholesterol. This is where vitamin E might help. Vitamin E can prevent the oxidation of LDL cholesterol, which can delay or prevent arteriosclerosis, and it may help prevent abnormal blood clotting, which can also reduce heart disease.
Sources and Recommendations
Adult males need 90 mcg of vitamin C per day and adult females need 75 mcg per day. Sources of vitamin C include oranges, strawberries and sweet potatoes. Adults under the age of 70 need to take in 600 IU of vitamin D each day, and those over 70 need 800 IU per day. Vitamin D can be found in fortified dairy products and some fish and can be absorbed from sunlight. Vitamin E needs for both males and females are 15 mg per day. Sources of vitamin E include nuts, seeds, spinach, mango and kiwifruit.
References
- PubMed Health; Atherosclerosis; May 2010
- Linus Pauling Institute; Vitamin C; Jane Higdon, PhD; January 2006
- Life Extension; How Vitamin C Prevents Heart Attacks; May 1999
- ScienceDaily.com; Treating Vitamin D Deficiency Significantly Reduces Heart Disease Risk, Studies Find; March 2010
- "Exercise Testing and Prescription"; David C. Nieman; 2007
- ScienceDaily.com; Vitamin D Levels Linked With Health of Blood Vessels; April 2011
