Vitamin E Helps Female Hearts

Research has shown antioxidant vitamins can protect against the formation of plaque in the arteries. However, most studies have concentrated on people who were already diagnosed with heart disease or who had suffered a heart attack. Researchers from Naples followed a group of about 300 women with an average age of 56 who had no evidence of heart disease at the beginning of the study. None of the women were taking vitamin supplements containing the antioxidants A, C, or E.

Women completed food frequency questionnaires and also had their blood tested for vitamin levels. Ultrasound exams were conducted to determine plaque levels in key arteries, and results showed 66 percent had some evidence of plaque build up. The remaining 34 percent showed no evidence of plaque.

The ultrasound results were then compared with the food frequency questionnaires and the blood tests. Researchers found women who reported rarely eating foods high in vitamin E, and who had the lowest blood concentrations of the vitamin, were more than twice as likely to have signs of plaque in their arteries than those who reported eating more vitamin E filled foods and had the highest blood levels of the vitamin.

Since only women with the lowest intake of vitamin E seemed to be adversely affected, investigators stress doctors should assess vitamin E intake and blood levels before recommending a change in diet or vitamin E supplements for their patients. Foods rich in vitamin E include legumes, vegetables, and olive oil.

SOURCE: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2002;76:582-587