Positive impact of E and C on men

Vitamins C and E could be especially beneficial in reducing oxidative stress in men. The findings follow a recent study in Japan that investigated possible gender-related differences in oxidative stress, reports Veris​ Information Service.

A body of science maintains that men are at higher risk of heart disease, compared to pre-menopausal women and since oxidative stress is believed to play an important role in the development of heart disease, scientists from the Universities of Kyushu and Osaka, Japan, looked at whether one of the reasons for these differences in risk may be gender-related differences in oxidative stress.

Fifty-one women and fifty-two men with the mean age of 26, all healthy and non-smokers, participated in the study. Among the parameters measured, biomarkers for oxidative stress were determined in their blood (TBARS) and urine (F2-isoprostanes). A randomly selected sub-group was then supplemented with 300 mg vitamin E and 600 mg vitamin C for four weeks. In another sub-group, the initial measures were repeated after four weeks, to check whether the initial results were constant for each volunteer over time.

Researchers found that values for oxidative stress biomarkers were significantly higher in men than in women, and this difference was constant over time. Values after supplementation with vitamins E and C were reduced to those typical for women.

The scientists conclude that the results demonstrate a significant difference between men and women in the level of oxidative stress and they suggest that an optimal supply of the antioxidant vitamins E and C may be especially beneficial for men. They added that further studies were required into to elucidate on their findings.