Heart failure is a serious condition that affects millions of people worldwide, and it occurs when the heart muscle becomes too weak or stiff to pump blood effectively.
It can cause symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, and swelling in the legs and feet.
There is currently no cure for heart failure, but there are treatments that can help manage the symptoms and improve quality of life.
Previous research has found that antioxidants may be beneficial for heart health, as they can neutralize free radicals and protect the body from oxidative stress, which can contribute to the development of heart failure.
Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin found in many fruits and vegetables, and it is an essential nutrient involved in the repair of tissue, the formation of collagen, and the production of certain essential chemical messengers of the body.
It also plays an important role in immune function, wound healing, and the maintenance of cartilage, bones, and teeth.
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin that acts as an antioxidant, and it can be found in nuts, seeds, and vegetable oils.
A recent study conducted by scientists from University College London has found that higher blood levels of vitamin C, but not vitamin E, are associated with a lower risk of heart failure in older men.
The study, which was published in the journal Circulation: Heart Failure, examined the links between blood levels of vitamins C and E, dietary intakes of these vitamins, and the risk of heart failure in older men.
The researchers analyzed data from 3,919 men aged 60 to 79 years who did not have heart failure at the start of the study.
The participants were followed up for an average of 11 years, during which time 263 men developed heart failure.
The researchers found that higher levels of vitamin C in the blood were linked to a much lower risk of heart failure, regardless of whether the men had a history of a heart attack.
In contrast, there was no association between blood levels of vitamin E and the risk of heart failure.
Interestingly, the researchers also found that higher intakes of dietary vitamin E (which were weakly correlated with blood levels of the vitamin) were associated with a higher risk of heart failure in men who had not had a previous heart attack.
This suggests that high doses of vitamin E supplements may not be beneficial for heart health, and may even be harmful in some cases.
The researchers concluded that higher levels of vitamin C in the blood are associated with a reduced risk of heart failure in older men with and without heart attacks.
They suggested that future research should explore whether vitamin C supplementation could be a useful intervention for managing heart failure in older people.
If you care about heart health, please read studies about the best time to take vitamins to prevent heart disease, and Vitamin K2 could help reduce heart disease risk.
For more information about heart health, please see recent studies that calcium supplements may harm your heart health, and results showing flu and COVID-19 vaccines may increase heart disease risk.
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