Study On Vitamin C, Diabetes, And High Blood Pressure

Vitamin C has been touted for many years as an effective antioxidant that offers a variety of health benefits. George Mansoor, MD, associate professor of medicine and associate chief of the Section of Hypertension and Clinical Pharmacology at UConn Health Center in Farmington, is looking at vitamin C from yet another perspective.

“According to existing research, there appears to be a relative deficiency of vitamin C in people with type 2 diabetes,” said Dr Mansoor. “Our study will see if a daily 500 mg dose of vitamin C can help lower blood pressure in these individuals.”

Type 2 diabetes, also known as adult onset diabetes, affects more than 17 million Americans and is the sixth leading cause of death. Currently, about 73 percent of adults with diabetes have high blood pressure. By controlling blood pressure, complications of diabetes and cardiovascular disease can be minimized.

Study participation will last eight weeks and involves taking either vitamin C or placebo. Blood pressure will be measured and ultrasound will be used to assess vascular function. Study related visits and lab tests are free.

To be eligible for the study volunteers must at least 18 years of age, have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure, and on a stable regimen of treatment for at least one month. They must be relatively healthy otherwise, nonsmokers and willing to discontinue any current vitamin C and antioxidant use.

For more information, or to see if you are eligible, call Patricia Keltonic, R.N, study coordinator, at 860-679-3599. Grant funding for this research comes from the Donaghue Foundation.