Supplementation of some micronutrients (omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, folic acid, and coenzyme Q10) was associated with reduction of adverse cardiovascular disease (CVD) outcomes and all-cause mortality as per a recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology [1].
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 884 randomized controlled clinical trials of 27 micronutrients and involving a total of 8,83,627 participants evaluated the impact of micronutrients on CVD risk factors and outcomes. Moderate-to-high quality evidence was noted for omega-3 fatty acid, omega-6 fatty acid, l-arginine, l-citrulline, folic acid, vitamin D, magnesium, zinc, α-lipoic acid, coenzyme Q10, melatonin, catechin, curcumin, flavanol, genistein, and quercetin with regard to reduction in CVD risk factors. Other key findings are highlighted in the graphic below [1]:
Clinical implication [1,2]: Deficiency of micronutrients impairs cardiovascular function and leads to the development of cardiovascular diseases. Oxidative stress and production of reactive oxygen species are the main triggers for development of CVD due to micronutrient deficiency. Imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants, inflammation, and immune system disruption are established pathophysiological mechanisms involved in micronutrient deficiency-induced CVD. This study highlights the role and benefits of supplementation of specific micronutrients for improving cardiometabolic health. Not all micronutrients were associated with cardiovascular benefits; thus, more research is warranted to evaluate the benefits and risks when considering supplementation for cardiovascular health in diverse population.
References
1. An P, Wan S, Luo Y, et al. Micronutrient supplementation to reduce cardiovascular risk. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2022;80(24):2269-85.
2. Ekpenyong CE. Micronutrient vitamin deficiencies and cardiovascular disease risk: Advancing current understanding. Eur. J. Prev Med. 2016;5(1):1-18.