Cardiologia Croatica, Vol. 7 No. 9-10, 2012.
Review article
Does the use of vitamin C affect the development of vascular complicatins in patients with diabetes?
Saša Magaš
; Bjelovar General Hospital, Bjelovar, Croatia
Abstract
Vitamin C is an essential micronutrient with well-known antioxidant effect. Oxidative stress is the underlying pathological state of endothelial damage. Data on the incidence of diabetes and the use of vitamin C are controversial, while some beneficial effects can be expected in the regulation of blood glucose levels after taking vitamin C. Considering the antioxidant properties of vitamin C, a beneficial effect of taking vitamin C can be also expected in diabetic patients with heart failure and in patients with ischemic stroke. A low level of vitamin C in plasma in type 1 diabetic patients causes ventricular repolarization disturbances. The use of vitamin C does not have a beneficial effect on the peripheral circulation of the lower limbs, but it has a beneficial effect on the circulation in the upper limbs. Vitamin C probably has a beneficial effect on slowing down the development of diabetic nephropathy and neuropathy, while the impact on the development of retinopathy is uncertain. Unlike the diastolic pressure, systolic blood pressure can be further decreased by administering vitamin C. Considering the controversial data, for the time being we still do not advise regular intake of vitamin C in products that are dietary supplements for the purpose of reducing cardiovascular risks. The advice on eating as greater amounts of fruit and vegetables as possible in a daily diet still applies.
Keywords
vitamin C; diabetes; hypertension; cardiovascular complications
Hrčak ID:
94682
URI
Publication date:
24.9.2012.
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