Dr. Mark Stengler reports on two large studies which compare people with the highest rates of regular blood vitamin C. They have half the risk of death compared with those who have low levels of vitamin C. A 10 year study of 11,000 adults at UCLA’s Medical Research Center found those with high daily intake of vitamin C had 41% lower mortalities.

The prestigious British medical journal, The Lancet, conducted a major study (19,496 men & women) on mortality rates… compiled at Cambridge University School of Medicine. Their ages ranged from 45 to 79 and were followed for the years between 1994 and 1997. The findings of the study were very impressive.

The risk of dying, from all causes combined, found high vitamin C levels associated with half the death rate of the control group. In particular, the probability of dying from heart disease decreased by a whopping 71% for men tested, and 59% for women…as compared to individuals with the lowest levels of vitamin C.

Vitamin C, in many studies, has been shown to boost the immune system and alleviate or reduce illness and disease. Recent studies make it clear that microorganisms (bacteria and viruses), particularly viruses, are a factor that increases heart disease. Cardiologist Thomas Levy documents current research (in his book, Stop America’s # 1 Killer);  it is clear infections are associated with increased heart attacks.

Bacteria and viruses, especially viruses, increase the number of heart attacks. Dr. Levy cites a study that found a 300% increase in heart attacks associated with a respiratory infection of the past 10 days. A second study he cites was done by Hume & Weyers (1973).  They observed acutely lower levels of vitamin C after only 2 days of a cold. The study found a 50% decrease of vitamin C in white blood cells after 2 days. Vitamin C is known to contribute spare electrons to hungry free radicals. This reduces inflammation; but this can be suicidal for C unless it is recharged with spare electrons.

Another study, also cited by cardiologist Levy, recorded 38% of those who suffer a heart attack had herpes simplex virus DNA  present.

Unstable angina (chest pain), which is often a precursor to a heart attack, was found to be associated with low blood levels of vitamin C. The reduced level of vitamin C, because of the virus, would explain the 3 fold increase in heart attacks found after infections.

Low vitamin C is associated with greater absorption of iron and increased heart disease. (Vitamin C may actually be used up in neutralizing iron oxidation).  A report from Shah and Alam and in 2003 summed up the relationship of iron, vitamin C and atherosclerosis:

Iron is a factor in the oxidation of LDL cholesterol, a known factor in heart disease. Chelation of iron, because it reduces oxidative iron, produces an associated reduction in atherosclerosis and heart attacks.

Vessel wall injury is associated with higher levels of iron which cause oxidative damage to blood vessel walls. This results in thicker atherosclerotic plaque. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that reduces inflammation in the artery walls; it is inflammation that drives atherosclerosis.  Iron is highly oxidative and appears to oxidize and reduce the vitamin C level and deplete it.

Smoking is a recognized risk factor in heart disease. Many studies show the dynamics of smoking on heart disease is correlated with the levels of vitamin C. W. McCormick (1962) said smoking tobacco is the greatest despoiler of vitamin C. He went on to say a single cigarette depleted the equivalent amount of vitamin C found in an orange.

Pelletier (1977) found 20 cigarettes per day represented a 40% lower content of vitamin C. Dentists are aware that smoking increases the risk and severity of periodontal disease; it is often found in tandem with heart disease. It can be argued this is due to decreased levels of vitamin C. The periodontal gums (around the teeth) are composed of dense collagen tissue and are highly dependent on adequate vitamin C. Periodontal disease  is an infection that is driven by bacteria which also propel heart disease. Vitamin C is important in collagen health; it is also an immune enhancer which helps white blood cells function and eliminate bacteria. Vitamin C is crucial to good heart health and longevity…Denis Van Loan D.D.S.

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