High Vitamin C intake may protect against aortic artery calcification

Cardiovascular disease (CVD), the leading cause of mortality globally, often harbors a silent precursor in the form of vascular calcification. A recent groundbreaking study, utilizing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2013-2014, has delved into the intricate relationship between dietary vitamin C and abdominal aortic calcification (AAC), shedding light on a potential dietary strategy to safeguard against CVD. The study revealed that increasing the dietary intake of vitamin C reduces the Abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) score and the risk of AAC.

The study results were published in the Nutrition Journal.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) stands as the primary cause of mortality, with a strong association observed between vascular calcification and CVD events. Abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) has proven to be a predictive indicator for both subclinical CVD and the occurrence of CVD events. Nevertheless, the connection between vitamin C and abdominal aortic calcification remains elusive. Hence researchers conducted a cross-sectional study to unravel the connection between dietary vitamin C and AAC—a crucial predictor of cardiovascular events, encompassing 2297 subjects, including 1089 males by taking data from NHANES.

The study employed two established scoring systems, the AAC 24-point scale (Kauppila) and the AAC 8-point scale (Schousboe), to meticulously measure AAC scores. Vitamin C intake from dietary sources was calculated from two rounds of 24-hour interview recall data and stratified into tertiles for analysis. The research applied weighted multiple regression analyses to discern the association between dietary vitamin C and AAC scores, as well as the risk of developing AAC. To ensure the reliability of the findings, subgroup and sensitivity analyses were conducted. Exploratory investigations were also undertaken to explore the potential link between vitamin C supplements and AAC.

Results:

• The study yielded compelling results, indicating that higher dietary vitamin C intake was significantly linked to a reduction in AAC scores.
• Specifically, the AAC-24 scale demonstrated a noteworthy reduction (β = -0.338, 95% CI -0.565, -0.111, P = 0.004), as did the AAC-8 scale (β = -0.132, 95% CI -0.217, -0.047, P = 0.002).
• Moreover, a lower risk of developing AAC was observed with higher dietary vitamin C intake (odds ratio [OR] = 0.807, 95% CI 0.659, 0.989, P = 0.038).
• Remarkably, the protective effects were specifically associated with dietary vitamin C, not vitamin C supplements.

In light of these findings, the study advocates for dietary habits rich in vitamin C, highlighting its potential benefits in protecting against vascular calcification and reducing the risk of cardiovascular events among the adult population in the United States. This revelation underscores the importance of considering dietary factors in cardiovascular health and offers a tangible strategy for individuals to enhance their heart health through mindful nutrition.

As research continues to unveil the complexities of cardiovascular health, incorporating vitamin C-rich foods into daily diets emerges as a simple yet powerful step towards a healthier heart.

Further reading: Jia J, Zhang J, He Q, et al. Association between dietary vitamin C and abdominal aortic calcification among the US adults. Nutr J. 2023;22(1):58. Published 2023 Nov 15. doi:10.1186/s12937-023-00889-y