Scientists have discovered that taking a daily dose of vitamin C can help to protect against vascular diseases in those who are overweight.<\/p>\n
A new study claims that daily\u00a0supplements of vitamin C could be as beneficial as walking with regards to improving heart health in overweight people.<\/p>\n
Researchers have discovered that taking the equivalent of one Berocca tablet every day can have similar cardiovascular benefits to regular exercise.<\/p>\n
Blood vessels in people who are obese show higher activity of endothelin-1 (ET-1) the small vessel-constricting protein.<\/p>\n
Vessels with high ET-1 activity are more likely to constrict.<\/p>\n
The narrowing of blood vessels often\u00a0makes them less able to cope\u00a0with the fluctuating demands on blood flow, which increases a person’s risk of vascular disease.<\/p>\n
Results from previous studies has suggested that exercise helps to reduce the activity of ET-1, however many people argue that they struggle to find time to incorporate exercise into their daily routines.<\/p>\n
The study was carried out at the University of Colorado and examined whether supplements of vitamin C can lower ET-1 activity as well as improving vessel function.<\/p>\n
Scientists analysed 35 sedentary, overweight adults over a 3 month period. 20 of the participants took supplements daily, whereas 15 performed daily exercise training in the form of aerobics.<\/p>\n
The study revealed that a daily dose of vitamin C at 500 mg reduced ET-1 related vessel constriction just as much as walking did.<\/p>\n
The NHS currently recommends that adults consume 40 mg of vitamin C every day and states that a healthy diet<\/a> provides all the necessary vitamin C.<\/p>\n An orange contains on average around 45 mg of vitamin C and a Berocca tablet contains 476 mg.<\/p>\n Consuming too much vitamin C (more than 1,000 mg a day) can lead to stomach pain, cramps and diarrhoea.<\/p>\n Yet previous studies have discovered the nutrient can help people who endure heavy physical stress, for example marathon runners, to prevent catching a cold.<\/p>\n