Vitamins 'benefit divers' health'
- From: "Roman Bystrianyk" <rbystrianyk@xxxxxxxxx>
- Date: 7 Feb 2007 05:09:32 -0800
"Vitamins 'benefit divers' health'", BBC News, February 5, 2007,
Link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6314901.stm
Vitamin doses can reduce ill-effects of scuba diving on divers'
circulation, a study suggests.
The scientists from Croatia and Norway gave vitamins C and E, which
work as antioxidants, to divers, the Journal of Physiology reported.
The vitamins stopped ill-effects of the dive on the cells lining blood
vessels, which can lead to high blood pressure and other associated
diving problems.
But diving experts said the vitamins would have a limited impact.
The researchers, from the University of Split School of Medicine in
Croatia and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology carried
out the study on seven professional divers before a 30-minute, 30-
metre dive.
They performed two dives 24 hours apart, with doses of vitamins C and
E administered two hours before the second one.
Six of the divers took part in a second trial eight months later, in
which some were given antioxidants while others received a dummy pill.
The team found that antioxidant treatment prevented endothelial
dysfunction, which stops the cells lining blood vessels working
properly, causing high blood pressure.
High blood pressure is relatively common in divers and can lead to
conditions such as pulmonary oedema - fluid on the lungs which can be
found in divers.
Decompression
It is thought endothelial dysfunction is caused by gas bubbles getting
into the circulatory system during and after decompression from dives.
Lead researcher Ante Obad said: "The intervention showed a positive
effect. Although generally safe, diving may be associated with
serious, and sometimes fatal consequences, which are usually related
to decompression sickness.
"This raises the possibility that pre-dive intake of antioxidant
vitamins may prevent some of the negative effects of diving."
But a spokesman for the London Diving Chamber, which offers medical
advice and treatment to divers, said the use of antioxidants such as
vitamins C and E would have a limited effect.
"Antioxidants basically remove excess by-products form the blood
system. But the impact on diving-related illnesses would be pretty
insignificant.
"Divers do not routinely take them."
.
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