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Query: UMLS:C0018799 (heart disease)
 34,133 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

A cohort of Hawaii Japanese men was assembled for epidemiologic studies of heart disease and cancer. Diet and tobacco consumption data were obtained from 1965 to 1968 and from 1971 to 1975. Biopsies from sites at maximal, intermediate, and minimal risk of intestinal metaplasia were performed on 350 men. Metaplasia was found in 234 men. Gastric cancer was found in 9/234 with metaplasia (3.8%) and 1/116 men without metaplasia (0.89%). Nitrite-rich salty foods (e.g., cured meats) were directly related to metaplasia at both examinations. Vitamin C intake did not appear to have prevented the development of intestinal metaplasia. Smoking was directly related to the presence of metaplasia, but the association was weaker than was observed for cured meats. The strong association between nitrite-rich salty foods and metaplasia appears to be uniform from one study to another, as is the lack of a consistent relation between metaplasia and either smoking or vitamin C consumption. Heavy smokers were more likely to have metaplasia than were nonsmokers, but these associations were weaker than were those with cured meats.
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PMID:Impact of diet and smoking on risk of developing intestinal metaplasia of the stomach. 231 88

The 'antioxidant hypothesis' proposes that vitamin C, vitamin E, carotenoids, and other antioxidants occurring in fruit and vegetables afford protection against heart disease and cancer by preventing oxidative damage to lipids and to DNA, respectively. To test elements of this hypothesis, we have measured blood levels of dietary antioxidants, and 8-oxodeoxyguanosine (8-oxo-dG) concentrations in lymphocyte DNA, in healthy men and women from five European countries: France, Ireland, The Netherlands, Spain, and the U.K. Volunteers, aged 25 45, all nonsmokers, gave blood samples before and after a 12-wk carotenoid supplementation regime. Vitamin C was measured in plasma and vitamin E and carotenoids were measured in serum by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). 8-oxo-dG was assayed by HPLC (with coulometric detection) in DNA isolated from lymphocytes from the same blood samples. Mean values were calculated for groups of volunteers at each sampling time according to country, sex, and supplementation (between 9 and 24 individual samples contributing to each mean). We found that 8-oxo-dG levels in lymphocyte DNA vary significantly according to sex and country. A low mean 8-oxo-dG concentration is seen in DNA of women from all five countries, and of men from France and Spain. 8-oxo-dG is significantly higher (up to about threefold) in lymphocyte DNA from men in Ireland and the U.K. Oxidative DNA damage is not significantly affected by carotenoid supplementation; nor is there any association with mean baseline levels of antioxidants, which are generally similar in the five countries. The five countries sampled lie on an axis from northern to southern Europe with a steep gradient in terms of premature heart disease. There is a strong association between premature coronary heart disease mortality in men and the mean levels of 8-oxo-dG for the five countries (r = 0.95, P < 0.01). Women have low coronary heart disease mortality rates, which do not correlate with 8-oxo-dG. In terms of cancer deaths, only colorectal cancer in men shows a significant positive correlation (r = 0.91, P < 0.05), and stomach cancer in women is negatively correlated with DNA oxidation (r = -0.92, P = 0.01).
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PMID:Oxidative DNA damage measured in human lymphocytes: large differences between sexes and between countries, and correlations with heart disease mortality rates. 976 83

It is well known that eating fruits and vegetables lowers the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer. The question of what is/are the active ingredient(s) is still unresolved. The initial hypothesis was that the antioxidant vitamins were responsible. However, recently the polyphenols have been investigated since they have been found to have beneficial properties such as being strong antioxidants. We measured the polyphenol content of citrus juices by an oxidation-reduction colorimetric method (Folin) using catechin as the standard. The order was tangerine juice > grapefruit juice > orange juice. The antioxidant contribution of ascorbic acid was measured by the difference in Folin reactive content following removal by ascorbate oxidase. Ascorbate contributed 56 to 77% of the antioxidant content of orange juice, 46% of the single tangerine juice measured, and 66 to 77% of grapefruit juices. Polyphenol quality in the juices was analyzed by using the inhibition of lower density lipoprotein oxidation promoted by cupric ion, an in vitro model of heart disease. Quality decreased in the following order: orange juice > grapefruit juice > tangerinejuice. In orange juice polyphenols accounted for 84-85% of antioxidant quality. The pure polyphenol hesperidin, which is common in juices, ascorbic acid, and the citrus juices, were not able to bind with LDL+VLDL and protect it from oxidation. In a hamster model of atherosclerosis, the juices were able to significantly inhibit atherosclerosis and lowered cholesterol and triglycerides. Ascorbic acid alone in the dose provided by the juices was found to have the same effect on atherosclerosis. However, the polyphenols in the citrus
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PMID:Polyphenol antioxidants in citrus juices: in vitro and in vivo studies relevant to heart disease. 1208 55

Vitamin C is an essential dietary nutrient required as a co-factor for many enzymes, and humans are among the few animals that lack the ability to synthesize the compound from glucose. The reduced form of the vitamin, ascorbic acid, is an especially effective antioxidant owing to its high electron-donating power and ready conversion back to the active reduced form. Concentrations of the vitamin in body tissues and fluids are regulated through interactions of intestinal absorption, cellular transport, and excretion. The amount of vitamin C needed to prevent scurvy is very small and easily obtained in nearly all Western diets. There is great interest in the clinical roles of vitamin C because of evidence that oxidative damage is a root cause of, or at least associated with, many diseases. Population studies show that individuals with high intakes of vitamin C have lower risk of a number of chronic diseases, including heart disease, cancer, eye diseases, and neurodegenerative conditions. However, these results may simply reflect a more healthful diet or lifestyle for individuals with a high vitamin C intake. At present, data from controlled clinical trials have not established that higher intakes of vitamin C alone will help prevent chronic degenerative diseases. However, the evidence that ascorbic acid acts as an important antioxidant in many body tissues is convincing. The new higher Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for vitamin C of 75 mg for women and 90 mg for men is, for the first time, based on the vitamin's role as an antioxidant as well as protection from deficiency. In healthy people, amounts greater than the RDA do not appear to be helpful. Vitamin C nutriture may be more important for people with certain diseases or conditions. High intakes of the vitamin are generally well tolerated; a Tolerable Upper Level was recently set at 2 g based on gastrointestinal upset that sometimes accompanies excessive intakes.
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PMID:Vitamin C function and status in chronic disease. 1213 9

America is experiencing a major obesity epidemic. The ramifications of this epidemic are immense since obesity is associated with chronic metabolic abnormalities such as insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and heart disease. Reduced physical activity and/or increased energy intakes are important factors in this epidemic. Additionally, a genetic susceptibility to obesity is associated with gene polymorphisms affecting biochemical pathways that regulate fat oxidation, energy expenditure, or energy intake. However, these pathways are also impacted by specific foods and nutrients. Vitamin C status is inversely related to body mass. Individuals with adequate vitamin C status oxidize 30% more fat during a moderate exercise bout than individuals with low vitamin C status; thus, vitamin C depleted individuals may be more resistant to fat mass loss. Food choices can impact post-meal satiety and hunger. High-protein foods promote postprandial thermogenesis and greater satiety as compared to high-carbohydrate, low-fat foods; thus, diet regimens high in protein foods may improve diet compliance and diet effectiveness. Vinegar and peanut ingestion can reduce the glycemic effect of a meal, a phenomenon that has been related to satiety and reduced food consumption. Thus, the effectiveness of regular exercise and a prudent diet for weight loss may be enhanced by attention to specific diet details.
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PMID:Strategies for healthy weight loss: from vitamin C to the glycemic response. 1703 Oct 14

L-Ascorbic acid (AsA, vitamin C) is an essential human nutrient that must be obtained in the diet, with the vast majority being obtained from plant foods. A vitamin C-deficient diet results in the onset of scurvy, which can have lethal consequences. However, vitamin C has also been implicated in the prevention of chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, and several neurodegenerative diseases. Although the supporting evidence for these claims is disputed, the dietary allowances for vitamin C have been recently increased in several countries, including the United States. This scenario, together with the general perception by consumers of vitamin C as being of benefit in the prevention of several lifestyle diseases and associated with general "well-being", contributes to a market rationale for enhancing the vitamin C content of crops. In recent years, there has been substantial progress in the understanding of vitamin C biochemistry in plants with a number of structural genes cloned. Here these findings are reviewed, and a description of how such knowledge could be applied to the nutritional enhancement of crops is given.
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PMID:Improving the nutritional value of crops through enhancement of L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C) content: rationale and biotechnological opportunities. 1596 4

Consumption of fruits and vegetables is associated with a reduced risk of death from all causes including heart disease and stroke. In this work, the bioavailability of vitamin C from a Mediterranean vegetable soup (gazpacho) constituted mainly of tomato, pepper and cucumber, and its influence on plasma vitamin C, 8-epi-prostaglandin F(2alpha) (8-epi-PGF2alpha), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), and the cytokines/tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), and IL-6 concentrations in a healthy human population were assessed. Six men and six women consumed 500 ml of commercial gazpacho per day for 14 days, corresponding to an intake of 78 mg of ascorbic acid per day. There were no differences (P = .22) in baseline plasma vitamin C concentrations between the men and women. The maximum increase (P < .05) in plasma vitamin C occurred 4 h postdose in both men and women. Vitamin C concentrations were significantly higher (P < .03) on Days 7 and 14 of the intervention. Baseline concentrations of uric acid and 8-epi-PGF2alpha were significantly higher (P < or = .032) in men than in women. Baseline concentrations of 8-epi-PGF2alpha decreased significantly (P < or = .05) by Day 14 of the intervention. A significant inverse correlation was observed between vitamin C and 8-epi-PGF2alpha (r = -.415, P = .049). Baseline concentrations of PGF2 and MCP-1 were significantly higher (P< or = .025) in men than in women but decreased significantly (P< or = .05) by Day 14 of the intervention. No effect on TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and IL-6 was observed at Day 14 of the intervention. Drinking gazpacho (500 ml/day) significantly increases plasma concentrations of vitamin C and significantly decreases 8-epi-PGF2alpha, PGE2 and MCP-1 concentrations in healthy humans.
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PMID:Mediterranean vegetable soup consumption increases plasma vitamin C and decreases F2-isoprostanes, prostaglandin E2 and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 in healthy humans. 1616 5

Chronic periodontitis is an inflammatory disease that affects the supporting tissues of the teeth. It is initiated by specific bacteria within the plaque biofilm and progresses due to an abnormal inflammatory-immune response to those bacteria. Periodontitis is the major cause of tooth loss and is also significantly associated with an increased risk of stroke, type-2 diabetes and atheromatous heart disease. Oxidative stress is reported in periodontitis both locally and peripherally (serum), providing potential mechanistic links between periodontitis and systemic inflammatory diseases. It is therefore important to examine serum antioxidant concentrations in periodontal health/disease, both at an individual species and total antioxidant (TAOC) level. To determine whether serum antioxidant concentrations were associated with altered relative risk for periodontitis, we used multiple logistic regression for dual case definitions (both mild and severe disease) of periodontitis in an analysis of 11,480 NHANES III adult participants (>20 y of age). Serum concentrations of vitamin C, bilirubin, and TAOC were inversely associated with periodontitis, the association being stronger in severe disease. Vitamin C and TAOC remained protective in never-smokers. Higher serum antioxidant concentrations were associated with lower odds ratios for severe periodontitis of 0.53 (CI, 0.42,0.68) for vitamin C, 0.65 (0.49,0.93) for bilirubin, and 0.63 (0.47,0.85) for TAOC. In the subpopulation of never-smokers, the protective effect was more pronounced: 0.38 (0.26,0.63, vitamin C) and 0.55 (0.33,0.93, TAOC). Increased serum antioxidant concentrations are associated with a reduced relative risk of periodontitis even in never-smokers.
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PMID:The prevalence of inflammatory periodontitis is negatively associated with serum antioxidant concentrations. 1731 56

During aging there is a tendency towards hyperlipidemia and changes in the distribution of lipoproteins. A decline in the functioning of the body's antioxidant defense system is also observed at this time. The objective of this study was to establish the relationship between serum concentrations of total cholesterol and fractions, triglycerides, and Vitamins C and E. 61 adults over 60 years of age were evaluated from January to March, 2006. Nutritional status was diagnosed by BMI (WHO); serum levels of triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC) and fractions (HDL-c and LDL-c) were determined by enzyme method; Vitamin C (colorimetric method) and Vitamin E by HPLC. ATPIII values were used as a reference for risk of TG, TC, HDL, LDL-c, vitamin C: > 0.9 mg/dL (normal), < 0.9 mg/dL (deficit); vitamin E: = 1300 microg/dL (normal), 1300 = microg /dL (deficit). Consumption of vitamins C and E were estimated by the direct weighing method 3 days per week. According to BMI, 19.7% had nutritional deficit, 39.3% overweight, and 11.5% obesity. TG, TC, LDL-c levels were at risk in females, and HDL-c in both genders. Prevalence of risk for heart disease was: TG (45.2%), HDL-c (51.1%), and LDL-c (52.5%). Consumption and serum levels of vitamin E were low in both genders. There was no association between variables. A significant and positive correlation between TG, TC, LDL-C, serum vitamin E, and BMI was observed. The female group showed overweight, hypertriglyceridemia and hypercholesterolemia, HDL-c and LDL-c at risk, and vitamin E deficiency, all of which are important risk factors for cardiovascular disease in this age group.
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PMID:[Relationship between serum lipids and status of vitamin C and E as antioxidants in Venezuelan elderly people]. 1936 97

Vitamin C is an essential component of the diet for humans, and an adequate intake is important not only for the prevention of scurvy but also to limit the risk of developing chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer. To achieve a regular and adequate intake, daily consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables is recommended. The vitamin C content of food varies widely, however, and plasma levels generally reflect the amount consumed, regardless of its origin. Kiwifruit are one of the premier dietary sources of vitamin C, with all commercially important varieties having high content, and with one serving delivering the bulk of the recommended dietary intake. Recent studies have shown that the addition of kiwifruit to a marginal vitamin C diet markedly improves plasma vitamin C levels and can increase them to both healthy and optimal levels.
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PMID:The bioavailability of vitamin C from kiwifruit. 2339 85


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