Van's Health Foods

Vitamin D reduces chances of cardiovascular disease in men

Researchers analyzed data on 118,864 men and women who began this study without cardiovascular disease and followed up for 19 years. While there was no link between vitamin D and cardiovascular disease in women, men who met the Dietary Reference Intake of 600 IU of vitamin D per day were 16 percent less likely to develop heart disease compared to men who got no more than 100 IU of vitamin D per day. Doctors think vitamin D may influence chemicals that regulate blood pressure, blood vessel flexibility, and may lower inflammation.

Pycnogenol, CoQ10 improve function in heart failure

In heart failure, heart muscles gradually weaken or stiffen, failing to pump enough blood to tissues and organs. In this study, 53 participants with stable heart failure, average age 61, took a daily combination of Pycnogenol plus coenzyme Q10, or a placebo. Three in four participants were also taking three or more prescription heart failure drugs. After 12 weeks, 14 percent of participants in the placebo group improved compared to 28 percent for Pycnogenol/CoQ10. All improvements were greater in the Pycnogenol/CoQ10 group, including lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure, lower heart rate, and lower rate of breathing. In the heart pumping capacity, the Pycnogenol/CoQ10 improved 22 percent compared to 4 percent for placebo. While there was little change for placebo, walking distance increased 3.3 times, and leg and foot swelling decreased significantly in the Pycnogenol/CoQ10 group.

Reference: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition; 2011, Vol. 94, No. 2, 534-42

From the November 2011 newsletter

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