Scientists from Tianjin Medical University and elsewhere found that adequate intake of zinc and vitamin B6 is linked to lower death risk in heart disease.
Vitamin B6, or pyridoxine, is a water-soluble vitamin found naturally in many foods, as well as added to foods and supplements.
Vitamin B may help with the breakdown of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats; maintain normal levels of homocysteine (since high levels can cause heart problems); and support immune function and brain health.
Zinc is a major player in the creation of DNA, the growth of cells, the building of proteins, healing damaged tissue and supporting a healthy immune system.
Adequate zinc is required during times of rapid growth, such as during childhood, adolescence, and pregnancy. Zinc is also involved with the senses of taste and smell.
Previous studies have found a possible association between dietary zinc and vitamin B6 intake and heart disease death and all-cause death risks.
However, evidence on the association of dietary zinc and vitamin B6 intake and their interactions with death risks remains unclear.
In the current study, researchers used data from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 1999 to 2016.
After a follow-up of 10 years, there were 4757 deaths among 36,081 adults.
The team found higher dietary zinc intake levels (≥9.87 mg/day) were linked to lower heart disease death risk.
They also found vitamin B6 intake levels (≥1.73 mg/day) were linked to lower heart disease death risk and all-cause death risk.
Higher dietary zinc intake and higher vitamin B6 intake were linked to a lower risk of heart disease death risk, with an interaction between dietary zinc levels and vitamin B levels.
The team also found there was also a J-type association between the dietary zinc-vitamin B6 ratio and heart disease death risk, with a high dietary zinc-vitamin B6 ratio increases the risk of heart disease death risk.
But a moderate dietary zinc-vitamin B6 ratio seemed to lower heart disease death risk.
Based on the findings, the team suggests that increasing the appropriate proportion of dietary zinc and vitamin B6 intake is linked to a lower risk of heart disease death.
They also suggest that precise and representative studies are needed to confirm these findings.
The research was published in Nutrients and conducted by Naijian Zhang et al.
If you care about heart health, please read studies that apple juice could benefit your heart health, and Omega-3 fats may lower the risk of irregular heart rhythm.
For more information about health, please see recent studies that Vitamin D deficiency can increase heart disease risk, and results showing Vitamin K2 could help reduce heart disease risk.
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