Supplements

New studies have shown that taking a dose of Vitamin C might have the ability to provide some improvement to below average blood circulation that appears in young smokers who are otherwise healthy.

What happened in the study was they took about 13 men who smoked, and they had poor results in blood circulation to the heart. Once a large dose of Vitamin C was taken, around two grams, their circulation tests improved.

Right after the vitamin was taken by the men, their circulation was the same as people who did not smoke. Don’t think that because of this test it will be okay to smoke and then take a Vitamin C pill.

What is Vitamin C? It is an important antioxidant that assists our bodies to clear out molecules that damage our cells. These molecules are known as free radicals. This is the reasoning behind why this vitamin will help to stop the pressure that smoking places on a persons blood vessel lining. If there is no help then a smoker can get an artery disease.

The study took a look at what would happen from swallowing a Vitamin C pill and how it effected blood flow. This is known as coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR). When the heart needs a higher demand of blood flow it will need this. Previous studies show that someone who smokes will not have good blood-vessel dilation in response to blood flow, and their CFVR is greatly decreased.

The researchers measured CFVR by the use of an ultrasound previous to taking Vitamin C and then after the fact. Before the vitamin was taken, the people who smoked had a low CFVR compared to people who didn’t smoke. Hours after the Vitamin C was taken the CFVR measured at a normal level.

When taking Vitamin C, it will not help to take a dose higher than 200 mg. The body takes the extra amount and excretes it. This isn’t proving that Vitamin C will always help someone who smokes. Some people have no short-term blood vessel improvement. More studies need to be conducted to show if there are long-term improvements that cut the risk of artery disease.