Not that we need a reason, as we know it is best, more "evidence" that veggies and fruits (Vita C, E & Selenium) are helpful ...
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Antioxidants Appear to Boost Heart Health and Metabolism
July 2010
Long-term supplementation with antioxidants may beneficially affect
sugar and fat metabolism and boost heart health by increasing the
flexibility of arteries, according to a new study.
In fact, researchers reported: "Antioxidant supplementation
significantly increased large and small artery elasticity in patients
with multiple cardiovascular risk factors. This beneficial vascular
effect was associated with an improvement in glucose and lipid
metabolism as well as a decrease in blood pressure."
Daily supplements of vitamin C, vitamin E and selenium significantly
improved the elasticity of arteries and levels of HDL cholesterol in
people with multiple cardiovascular risk factors, according to findings
published in Nutrition and Metabolism.
"This beneficial vascular effect was associated with an improvement
in glucose and lipid metabolism as well as a significant decrease in
blood pressure," said lead researcher Reuven Zimlichman from Wolfson
Medical Center, Israel.
The study involved 70 people with high blood pressure, diabetes, low
HDL cholesterol levels, or who were smokers. The average age of the
subjects was 62. The participants were randomly assigned to receive
either a placebo or a daily antioxidant supplement containing vitamin C
(1,000 mg per day), vitamin E (400 IU per day) and selenium (200 mcg per
day).
Six months later researchers noted that people in the antioxidant
group exhibited significant increases in the arterial elasticity index, a
measure of flexibility—and therefore the health—of blood vessels.
Specifically, the large arterial elasticity index increased from 11 to
12.7 ml/mm Hg x100, while no changes were observed in the placebo group.
Furthermore, both systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased
significantly, with the former dropping from 145.2 to 136.1 mmHg, while
the later dropped from 78.4 to 75.0 mmHg, the researchers said.
Significant improvements were also observed in HDL cholesterol levels
for the antioxidant group, said the researchers, but not for the
placebo group.
Commenting on the potential mechanism, the Israeli researchers note
that previous studies have indicated that vitamins C and E may protect
DNA from damage, enhance antioxidant defenses and restore the health of
the cells lining blood vessels (endothelium). They also noted that
selenium, via its role in various antioxidative enzymes, "provides
significant protection of the coronary artery endothelium against damage
by oxidative stress."
Professor Zimlichman and his co-workers noted that their study had
several limitations, including the relatively small number of
participants. In addition, they did not measure blood levels of
antioxidants, so they have no indication of how well the participants
complied with the supplementation.
"Furthermore, since the present study has focused on patients with
multiple cardiovascular risk factors, the application of our findings to
other patient populations remains uncertain," they added.
Nutrition & Metabolism Published online ahead of
print.