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# Plasma vitamin C but not E may cut heart failure risk
- URL: https://www.foodconsumer.org/vitamin_c_heart_failure_0609130418/
- Published: 2013-06-09T17:17:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-22T16:21:12.000Z
- Description: Following 3,919 men aged 60 to 79 for about 11 years, researchers found each standard-deviation rise in plasma vitamin C was tied to 19% to 25% lower risk of heart failure. Dietary vitamin C intake and plasma vitamin E showed no such association.
- Author: Food Consumer
- Tags: Vitamins, Nutrition, #vivvo-import

Sunday June 9, 2013 (foodconsumer.org) -- A study in Circulation and Heart Failure suggests that maintaining high levels of vitamin C may help reduce the risk for heart failure in older people. However, high intake of vitamin C is not associated with the risk.

S. G. Wannamethee from University College London in London, United Kingdom and colleagues conducted the study and found a 1SD increase in log plasma vitamin C level was associated with 19% and 25% reduced risk for heart failure in both men with and without previous myocardial infarction (heart attack) after adjustment for lifestyle parameters, diabetes status, blood fat, blood pressure and heart rate, respectively.

Oxidative stress is believed to be involved in the pathogenesis of heart failure in older men and antioxidants are assumed to be protective against oxidative stress. The study was intended to examine prospectively the association between plasma vitamin C and E levels, dietary intakes of vitamin C and E, and the incidence of heart failure.

For the study, 3,919 men aged 60-79 years with no prevalent heart failure were followed up for a mean period of 11 years during which 263 incident cases were recorded.

Although high plasma levels of vitamin C were associated with reduced risk for heart failure, plasma vitamin E and dietary vitamin C intake were not associated with risk of heart failure. And a 1SD increase in vitamin E intake was actually found correlated with 23% increased risk for the heart condition in women with no prior myocardial infarction after adjustment for other factors.

The study concluded "Higher plasma Vitamin C is associated with a reduced risk of HF in older men with and without MI. High intake of dietary vitamin E may be associated with increased HF risk. Primary intervention trials assessing the effect of vitamin C supplements on HF risk in the elderly are needed." (reporting by Jimmy Downs)