Supplements may offer alternative in fighting heart disease

Web posted October 22, 1998

By Christopher Clark
Associated Press

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- New research suggests that swallowing a supplement packed with artery-protecting nutrients may be just as effective in preventing heart disease as sipping a good Cabernet.

The nutrients are flavonoids, vitamin-like compounds that naturally occur in tea and in fruits and vegetables. They make blood cells called platelets less prone to clotting and act as antioxidants, countering the artery-damaging potential of highly reactive free radical chemicals.

The study, funded by supplement manufacturer Melaleuca Inc. of Idaho Falls, Idaho, tested 14 people who took the supplement ProVex CV over seven days. Larger studies are being planned.

The findings, presented Tuesday at the annual meeting of the American Dietetic Association, indicate that pregnant women and others who should avoid alcohol can reap the benefits of red wine without drinking it.

Red wine's role in warding off heart trouble was made famous by research showing that the French, with red wine as a staple, have lower rates of heart disease despite their penchant for high-fat food.

John Folts, a University of Wisconsin researcher, said the tests showed ``significant and encouraging'' reductions in platelet activity.

ProVex CV was one of four flavonoid supplements examined by Folts but was the only one he said showed significant benefits. It contains extracts made of grape seeds, grape skins, Ginkgo biloba, bilberries and a specific flavonoid called quercetin.

``The problem with red wine, which I enjoy, is that there's many people who cannot and should not drink alcoholic beverages,'' said Folts, whose 1973 research led to therapy using aspirin to prevent heart attacks. ``We know alcohol is not the critical requirement. We're looking at the other things to provide the necessary anti-platelet, antioxidant properties that you get with red wine.''

Those other things might include onions, garlic, broccoli, celery, grapes and lemons -- all rich in flavonoids but often low on the list of diners' preferences.

Because many consumers don't eat enough fruits and vegetables, they'll likely miss the benefits of flavonoids without outside help, such as red wine.

``People should consume five to seven servings of fruits and vegetables every day,'' Folts said. ``For those who cannot and will not do this, a flavonoid supplement ... may be useful.''

Researchers say green and black teas are also a good source of flavonoids. Although there are no known guidelines for flavonoid consumption, researchers say daily intakes of between 500 milligrams and 800 milligrams -- equivalent to two or three cups of tea -- have shown marked platelet reductions and antioxidant qualities.

Still, doctors say nothing beats fruits and vegetables for health benefits.

``The U.S. is not doing what it should to get fruits and vegetables in its diet,'' said Dr. J. Michael Gaziano, a heart researcher at Harvard Medical School. ``Mom was right when she told you to eat your vegetables.''