Research published in Cardiology (August 12, 2008; Volume 112, Issue 3, pages 219–223) examined the effects of antioxidant supplementation following a heart attack in 800 patients.
Participants were divided into two groups. One group received antioxidant support consisting of 1,000 mg of vitamin C administered intravenously over a 12-hour period, followed by oral supplementation with 400 mg of vitamin C and 200 mg of vitamin E taken three times daily. The comparison group received a placebo.
During the 30-day period following the heart attack, mortality among patients with diabetes was 68% lower in the supplemented group compared to the placebo group. In contrast, no difference in mortality was observed between the supplemented and placebo groups among patients without diabetes.
Based on these findings, the authors suggested that antioxidant support may be particularly relevant for individuals with diabetes following a heart attack, highlighting a potential difference in response between diabetic and non-diabetic patients.
