A dose of vitamin C may give a quick boost to the poorer-than-average blood circulation seen in healthy young smokers, a study suggests. The study of 25 healthy men found that although smokers initially showed poorer results on a test of blood flow to the heart that changed after they took a large dose - 2 grams - of vitamin C.
Shortly after taking the vitamin, the 13 smokers showed blood circulation on par with that of the 12 non-smokers, according to findings published in a leading heart journal.
However, lest smokers think they can undo heart damage by chasing a cigarette with a vitamin C pill, the researchers say their findings underline the dangers of smoking.
Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant, a substance that helps clear the body of cell-damaging molecules called oxygen free radicals. Because of this, it's thought that the vitamin may counter the "oxidative stress" that smoking puts on the lining of the blood vessels - a mechanism by which smoking leads to artery disease.
The new study looked at the effect of oral vitamin C on coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR), a measure of how well blood flow speeds up to help the heart when it's under high demands. Past research has shown that smokers show poorer blood-vessel dilation in response to blood flow, and have a diminished CFVR.
The research team used a non-invasive ultrasound technique to measure CFVR in smokers and non-smokers, before and after they took vitamin C. They found that before taking the vitamin, smokers had a lower CFVR than non-smokers did. Two and four hours after the dose of vitamin C, however, smokers' average CFVR was "restored" to a more-normal level.
Though the men in the study were given a large dose of vitamin C, researchers pointed out that it's probably useless to take doses beyond 200 milligrams, because the body will excrete the excess.
Moreover, it's not clear that loading up on vitamin C can benefit smokers. Some trials have found that taking C supplements does not improve smokers' blood vessel function, at least in the short term.
Researchers said further, large-scale trials should look at whether daily vitamin C supplements cut smokers' long-term risk of coronary artery disease.
Tanya Roberts is research associate, www.onlinesmoker.com
recurring maid service Buffalo Grove ..Creatine ? The most researched performance enhancing nutritional supplementDoes creatine... Read More
Everyone has an occasional sleepless night, and this is not... Read More
If you suffer from arthritis pain, chances are you've heard... Read More
There are a host of choices for supplementing your Ironman... Read More
A lot of people actually pay a good deal of... Read More
Difficulty sleeping can affect many aspects of life. People who... Read More
What's the best muscle building supplement available today? You might... Read More
Vitamins and Minerals Can Improve SleepTaking proper vitamins and minerals... Read More
L-carnitine is a nutritional supplement that has been touted by... Read More
Once again the "wisdom" of the FDA and the supplement... Read More
HGH is produced naturally, in everyone, by the pituitary gland.... Read More
What exactly are phytoestrogens, and how can we use them... Read More
There is no doubt that Omega 3's can not only... Read More
Turmeric, in all honesty is not a vitamin, but it... Read More
Looking for quality nutritional supplements can seem quite overwhelming at... Read More
Taking vitamin and mineral supplements is perhaps one of the... Read More
The initial success of penicillin generated an assumption which has... Read More
Over the last 2 years, the link between weight gain... Read More
The Greek word "Glyco" means, "Sugar". Most people think of... Read More
Supplement ? what is it?Supplement is a term that means... Read More
Have you ever purchased something thinking you had bought a... Read More
A popular mineral today, coral calcium, is mainly calcium, but... Read More
Actually, my headache is not the result of just thinking... Read More
Protein Supplement ? whey protein.Why is protein supplement important? Protein... Read More
The liquid vitamin mineral supplement is a must have for... Read More
premium house cleaning Glenview ..The Superbug MRSA which is becoming more common in Hospitals,... Read More
Whey protein is available in supplement form and whey protein... Read More
Vitamin B6 is the hardest working nutrient in the human... Read More
1. What supplements do you take?A multivitamin, Glucosamine-MSM-Chondroitin, Odorless Garlic,... Read More
Not All Supplements are Created Equal. There are more supplements... Read More
Simply stated, the Greek word glyco refers to "sweet." Hence,... Read More
The malabsorptive nature of the gastric bypass system prohibits adequate... Read More
Unfortunately nobody can tell that question over the internet, but... Read More
At the moment we are in the grip of an... Read More
For people who suffer from arthritis, dependable pain relief is... Read More
Mineral Supplement ? be healthy.Why is mineral supplement so important?... Read More
It's green, it's valuable, and it can vastly improve your... Read More
Vitamin B is no small time player in the high... Read More
You Need Probiotics For Better Digestion and Overall HealthInside your... Read More
Did you know that when you take vitamins and minerals... Read More
Taurox is an excellent way to find true and healthy... Read More
The body is just mind-bogglingly amazing. I mean, when you... Read More
With all of the exciting things people are seeing in... Read More
Most healthy eaters are familiar with the three macronutrients that... Read More
Before you read the rest of this article I want... Read More
"But I eat healthy," you might say. That may be... Read More
L-tyrosine is a protein that the body produces from phenylamine,... Read More
Bodybuilding supplements generally fall under the classification of dietary supplements,... Read More
Flavones are the latest big supplement to hit the market.... Read More
As you may have already experienced, figuring out how to... Read More
Nutritional Supplements |