07.01.04
Indication(s): Heart disease and diabetes
Source: J Am Coll Nutr, April 2004;23(2):141-147.
Research: The double-blind study examined 160 healthy adults who either smoked or were exposed to second-hand smoke. Researchers adjusted for body mass index and baseline C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations. People who had high levels of CRP were excluded from the study. Subjects were randomly assigned to receive a daily dose of a placebo, vitamin C supplement of about 500 mg or a mixture of antioxidants made up of vitamins C and E and alpha-lipoic acid. Plasma CRP levels were measured from blood samples before and after the two-month trial.
Results: Levels of CRP decreased significantly (24%) among participants in the group taking vitamin C pills, as compared to those in the placebo group. For those taking the antioxidant mixture, levels of CRP decreased nearly 5% compared to the placebo group, but the change was not statistically significant. Researchers were surprised the antioxidant mixture did not have more of an effect on CRP levels, but theorized that the interaction among the antioxidants might have been a factor. (The lead investigator of the study has been awarded a grant to conduct a future trial on vitamin C and CRP levels in order to confirm these findings.)
Source: J Am Coll Nutr, April 2004;23(2):141-147.
Research: The double-blind study examined 160 healthy adults who either smoked or were exposed to second-hand smoke. Researchers adjusted for body mass index and baseline C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations. People who had high levels of CRP were excluded from the study. Subjects were randomly assigned to receive a daily dose of a placebo, vitamin C supplement of about 500 mg or a mixture of antioxidants made up of vitamins C and E and alpha-lipoic acid. Plasma CRP levels were measured from blood samples before and after the two-month trial.
Results: Levels of CRP decreased significantly (24%) among participants in the group taking vitamin C pills, as compared to those in the placebo group. For those taking the antioxidant mixture, levels of CRP decreased nearly 5% compared to the placebo group, but the change was not statistically significant. Researchers were surprised the antioxidant mixture did not have more of an effect on CRP levels, but theorized that the interaction among the antioxidants might have been a factor. (The lead investigator of the study has been awarded a grant to conduct a future trial on vitamin C and CRP levels in order to confirm these findings.)