Vitamin C (ascorbic acid), blood pressure and cardiobascular diseases

ABSTRACT

The review article deals with the relationship between vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and cardiovascular function or diseases. Clinical and epidemiological studies indicate that vitamin C could lower blood pressure or its deficiency could lead to hypertension and atherosclerosis which may predispose to coronary heart disease; ischaemic heart disease; myocardial infarction; cerebral thrombosis; etc. However there are contradictory reports. Factors such age; gender; vegetarian diet; smoking; diabetes mellitus; mental stress; seasonal variations; etc. can alter vitamin C status. Alteration of vitamin C status; could in turn affect cardiovascular function. The precise mechanisms responsible for the negative association between vitamin C and blood pressure and why vitamin C protects against cardiovascular diseases are yet to be elucidated. [abstract terminated]