Vitamin Deficiency Associated with Inflammation and Poor Heart Health

By CP Staff

A new study found that low levels of a particular B vitamin are associated with increased markers of inflammation and oxidative stress, which are linked to an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Currently in the United States, one in three adults has some type of cardiovascular disease.

In this new study, researchers further investigated the correlation between vitamin B6 deficiency and increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The researchers in this study looked for possible mechanisms other than homocysteine, which is a “rogue” amino acid associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease; homocysteine levels are increased when there are low levels of the active, coenzyme form of vitamin B6, vitamin B12 and folic acid. The subjects were adults between the ages of 45 and 75, who were evaluated for plasma pyridoxal-5-phosphate (P5P), the active form of vitamin B6; C-reactive protein (CRP), an inflammatory marker associated with cardiovascular disease and urinary 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), a marker of oxidative DNA damage.

The results of the study showed that there was a significant correlation between plasma vitamin B6 levels and the levels of CRP and 8-OHdG. As levels of P5P increased, levels of CRP and 8-OHdG decreased, indicating less inflammation and oxidative damage. In fact, those subjects with the highest levels of P5P had nearly a 50 percent reduction in CRP compared to subjects with the lowest levels.

Furthermore, the researchers found that decreased levels of P5P were associated with factors related to diabetes and metabolic syndrome, including increased plasma fasting glucose and glycated hemoglobin plus changes in beta cell function, which are the cells in the pancreas that secrete insulin. The study also showed a correlation between decreased levels of P5P and an increase in metabolic syndrome, obesity and diabetes, which also increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

The researchers concluded, “Low vitamin B6 concentrations are associated with inflammation, higher oxidative stress and metabolic conditions in older Puerto Rican adults. Our data suggest that vitamin B6 may influence cardiovascular disease risk through mechanisms other than homocysteine and support the notion that nutritional status may influence the health disparities present in this population.”

Reference:

Shen J, Lai CQ, Mattei J, Ordovas JM, Tucker KL. Association of vitamin B-6 status with inflammation, oxidative stress, and chronic inflammatory conditions: the Boston Puerto Rican Health Study. Am J Clin Nutr. 2010 Feb;91(2):337-42.