Cardiovascular effects of oral supplementation of vitamin C, E and folic acid in young healthy males

• Published in: International journal for vitamin and nutrition research Vol. 74; no. 4; pp. 285 - 293
• Main Authors: Schutte, A.E, Huisman, H.W, Oosthuizen, W, Van Rooyen, J.M, Jerling, J.C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bern Hogrefe & Huber 01-07-2004; Kirkland, WA; Toronto, ON
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Ascorbic Acid - administration & dosage; Biological and medical sciences; Blood Pressure - drug effects; Cardiac Output - drug effects; Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena - drug effects; Dietary Supplements; Double-Blind Method; Enzymes. Coenzymes. Vitamins. Pigments; Feeding. Feeding behavior; Folic Acid - administration & dosage; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Heart Rate - drug effects; Humans; Male; Metabolisms and neurohumoral controls; Placebos; Smoking; Stroke Volume - drug effects; Vascular Resistance - drug effects; Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems; Vitamin E - administration & dosage; Human; Ascorbic acid; Vitamin; Oral administration; vitamin E; Biological marker; E-Vitamins; cardiovascular; Folic acid; Blood vessel; Vitamin C; Blood pressure; Hemodynamics; Circulatory system; Supplementation
• ISSN: 0300-9831; 1664-2821
• DOI: 10.1024/0300-9831.74.4.285

Numerous observational studies showed associations of antioxidants (vitamins C and E) and folate intake with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, but randomized controlled clinical trials have generally not supported this hypothesis. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of a daily dosage of 1000 mg vitamin C, 800 mg vitamin E, and 10 mg folate on markers of vascular function in 31 young healthy male adults South Africa. Cardiovascular values after a 12-week vitamin (14 subjects) or placebo (17 subjects) intervention were compared to baseline values. Cardiovascular parameters (blood pressure, stroke volume, heart rate, cardiac output, vascular resistance, arterial compliance) were measured continuously after an overnight fast under controlled circumstances with a Finometer device. Our main finding was a significant decrease (P=0.03) in systolic blood pressure in the experimental group. No statistically significant changes were observed within other cardiovascular variables of the experimental group, but possible beneficial decreases in diastolic blood pressure and increases in arterial compliance after 12 weeks of vitamin supplementation were indicated. In conclusion, beneficial effects of antioxidants and folate are observed probably because the supplementation is used by young healthy subjects under carefully controlled conditions.