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# Vitamin C cuts smoking-induced atherosclerosis risk
- URL: https://www.foodconsumer.org/vitamin_c_cuts_smoking-induced_atherosclerosis_risk_1505100317/
- Published: 2010-05-15T15:16:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-22T15:48:16.000Z
- Description: Guinea pigs exposed to cigarette smoke developed atherosclerosis, but those fed a vitamin C-supplemented diet rarely did, a Journal of Atherosclerosis and Thrombosis study found. The authors credit vitamin C with blocking smoke-induced apoptosis and platelet activation.
- Author: Food Consumer
- Tags: Vitamins, Nutrition, Vitamin C, Atherosclerosis, #vivvo-import

Smoking cigarettes increases risk of atherosclerosis, but vitamin C supplementation may help offset the effect, according to a new study.

The study led by Ray T and colleagues from the University of Calcutta was meant to examine the effect of a diet supplemented with vitamin C on the development of atherosclerosis in an animal model.

For the study, Ray et al fed guinea pigs a diet with or without vitamin C supplemented and observed apoptosis, which is believed to promote progression of atherosclerosis, in cigarette smoke-exposed guinea pig aorta.

The researchers further discovered that the apoptosis in aortal sections is mediated at least partially by an increased Bax/Bc12 ratio.

However, atherogenic changes were rarely observed in guinea pigs fed with vitamin C supplemented diet.

Ray et al explained that vitamin C protects against atherosclerotic activity partly by inhibiting cigarette-smoking induced apoptosis and platelet activation.

They concluded that "Exposure of guinea pigs to cigarette smoke causes the development of atherosclerosis, which can be prevented by vitamin C supplement."

The study was published in the May 13, 2010 issue of Journal of Atherosclerosis and Thrombosis.

David Liu