To examine the relationship between low blood levels of vitamin C and heart attack, the investigators measured the blood concentrations and dietary intakes of vitamin C in 180 men with a first heart attack and 177 healthy volunteers. Blood levels and dietary intakes were taken during hospitalization for heart attack and 3 months later. Heart attack patients had lower blood levels of vitamin C during their hospital stay than healthy subjects did regardless of whether they smoked, the study found. Smokers are known to have lower blood levels of the vitamin. The researchers report that vitamin C levels in the blood rose to pre-hospital levels as patients recovered.
Free radicals are cell-damaging particles that are byproducts of normal metabolism.
However, there is no evidence to support this theory, Riemersma said. 1998 Reuters Ltd. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. All rights reserved.