A simple and low-cost supplement may help protect the heart in people with Type 2 diabetes, according to a recent study.
The study brings new hope to millions of people who live with diabetes and face a higher risk of heart disease and early death.
Type 2 diabetes is a common condition that affects how the body uses sugar for energy. Over time, high blood sugar levels can damage many parts of the body, including the heart. People with diabetes are much more likely to develop heart problems, including heart failure.
Heart failure does not mean the heart has stopped working, but it means the heart becomes too weak or stiff to pump blood properly. This can lead to tiredness, shortness of breath, and serious health risks.
The research was carried out by scientists at the University of Leeds. They studied 70 people with Type 2 diabetes who did not yet have heart disease. The goal was to see if a supplement called mitoquinone could help protect their hearts before any serious damage began.
Mitoquinone is a type of antioxidant. Antioxidants are substances that help protect cells from damage. In diabetes, the body often experiences what is called metabolic stress. This means the cells do not use energy properly and harmful substances can build up. Over time, this can damage the heart muscle and make it less flexible.
In the study, half of the participants were given a daily dose of 40 milligrams of mitoquinone for four months, along with their usual diabetes treatment. The other half continued with their normal care but did not take the supplement. At the end of the study, all participants had heart scans and tests.
The results showed clear differences between the two groups. People who took mitoquinone had better heart function. Their hearts were able to use energy more efficiently, about 15 percent better when resting. This is important because the heart needs a steady supply of energy to keep pumping blood around the body.
The study also found that the heart muscle in the supplement group could relax more quickly after each beat. This is a sign of a healthier heart. When the heart becomes stiff and cannot relax properly, it is often an early warning sign of heart failure. The improvement seen in this study suggests that some early damage may have been reduced.
In contrast, the group that did not take the supplement did not show these improvements. Their heart function stayed the same over the four months.
The lead researcher, Dr. Henry Procter, said the findings are encouraging. He explained that mitoquinone may help keep the heart healthier for longer in people with diabetes. He also suggested that if the study had lasted longer, the benefits might have been even greater.
Importantly, the supplement appeared to be safe. There were no serious side effects reported during the study. It also did not affect blood sugar levels, which is important for people managing diabetes.
However, the researchers stress that this is still an early study. More research with larger groups of people and longer follow-up is needed to confirm the results. Scientists want to be sure that the supplement can truly prevent heart problems over time.
In the United Kingdom, about 5.8 million people live with diabetes, and around 90 percent of them have Type 2 diabetes. People with this condition are up to five times more likely to develop heart failure than those without it. Once heart failure develops, the risk of early death increases sharply.
Professor Bryan Williams from the British Heart Foundation said the study is interesting and promising. He noted that while the results are still early, they show why it is important to keep exploring new ways to protect the heart.
The research team now hopes to carry out a larger clinical trial. Their goal is to find out if mitoquinone could one day become part of standard care for people with diabetes. If future studies confirm these findings, this simple and affordable supplement could help many people live longer and healthier lives by protecting their hearts before serious problems begin.
If you care about heart health, please read studies about how eating eggs can help reduce heart disease risk, and Vitamin K2 could help reduce heart disease risk.
For more information about health, please see recent studies that olive oil may help you live longer, and Vitamin C linked to lower risk of heart failure.
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