A widely available and relatively inexpensive supplement called mitoquinone may help protect people with Type 2 diabetes from developing heart failure, according to new research presented at the British Cardiovascular Society conference in Manchester.
The findings have attracted attention because heart disease remains one of the leading causes of illness and death in people living with Type 2 diabetes. Researchers say the supplement could eventually become a simple way to help keep the heart healthier for longer in millions of patients worldwide.
The study was carried out by scientists from the University of Leeds and involved 70 adults with Type 2 diabetes. None of the participants had been diagnosed with heart disease at the start of the research.
Researchers divided the participants into two groups. One group took a daily 40 milligram dose of mitoquinone in addition to their usual diabetes treatment. The second group continued with their normal diabetes care without taking the supplement.
After four months, the researchers compared the heart health of both groups using medical tests and heart scans. The results suggested that the people taking mitoquinone had healthier heart function than those who only received standard treatment.
One of the most important findings was that the hearts of participants taking mitoquinone were able to use energy more efficiently. At rest, their hearts improved energy use by about 15 percent. Improvements were also seen when participants exercised.
The researchers also found that the heart muscle in the supplement group relaxed more quickly after each heartbeat. This is important because stiffness and reduced relaxation of the heart muscle are often early warning signs of future heart failure.
In contrast, the group that did not take mitoquinone showed no similar improvements during the study period.
Mitoquinone is a special type of antioxidant designed to target structures inside cells called mitochondria. Mitochondria are often described as the “power plants” of cells because they produce the energy needed for the body to function.
In people with Type 2 diabetes, problems with energy production and increased metabolic stress can damage cells throughout the body, including cells in the heart muscle. Over time, this damage may cause the heart to become stiff, weaker, and less able to pump blood effectively.
This process can eventually lead to heart failure, a serious condition where the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs.
Heart failure is especially dangerous for people with diabetes. Studies show that people with Type 2 diabetes are much more likely to develop heart failure than people without diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes accounts for around 90 percent of diabetes cases worldwide. In the United Kingdom alone, about 5.8 million people are living with diabetes, and similar increases are being seen globally.
Experts estimate that people with Type 2 diabetes may face up to five times the risk of developing heart failure compared with people who do not have diabetes.
Once heart failure develops, the risks become even more serious. Patients who have both diabetes and heart failure face much higher rates of hospitalization and early death.
Researchers believe mitoquinone may help by protecting cells from oxidative stress. Oxidative stress happens when harmful molecules called free radicals damage cells and tissues faster than the body can repair them. This process is believed to play a major role in aging, diabetes complications, and heart disease.
Although mitoquinone is already sold online as a supplement that may boost energy or slow aging, scientists say there has been limited strong clinical evidence supporting its use in chronic diseases until now.
Dr. Henry Procter, the lead researcher on the study, said the findings are encouraging because they suggest the supplement may help protect the heart before serious problems begin.
According to Dr. Procter, the improvements seen in just four months may only represent the beginning of the potential benefits. He suggested that longer studies might show even greater protection for heart health over time.
Importantly, researchers reported that the supplement did not appear to interfere with blood sugar control, and no major side effects were observed during the study.
However, scientists stress that the research is still in its early stages. The study was relatively small and lasted only four months, so larger and longer clinical trials are needed before doctors can recommend mitoquinone as a standard treatment.
The researchers also noted that none of the participants developed heart failure during the study, meaning the research focused mainly on early changes in heart function rather than long-term disease prevention.
Professor Bryan Williams from the British Heart Foundation described the findings as intriguing and promising but emphasized that more evidence is still needed. He said the study highlights the importance of continuing to search for new ways to prevent heart disease in people with diabetes.
The next step for the research team is to organize larger clinical trials involving more patients over longer periods. These future studies will help determine whether mitoquinone can truly reduce heart failure risk and improve long-term survival.
If future research confirms the findings, mitoquinone could eventually become an affordable and accessible addition to diabetes care. Because the supplement is already widely available and relatively low cost, it may offer a practical way to help millions of people protect their hearts before severe damage occurs.
Scientists say the study is part of a growing effort to better understand how diabetes affects the heart and how earlier treatment may prevent complications before symptoms appear.
As diabetes rates continue rising worldwide, finding safe and effective ways to reduce heart disease risk has become one of the biggest goals in medical research.
If you care about diabetes, please read studies about diabetes and vitamin B12, and the right diet for people with type 2 diabetes.
For more health information, please see recent studies about how to eat smart with diabetes, and turmeric and vitamin D: a duo for blood pressure control in diabetic patients.
The research findings were presented at the British Cardiovascular Society conference in Manchester.
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