PotassiumNEW2026

Micronutrients in Cardiovascular Disease: A Comprehensive Review of Vitamins, Trace Minerals, and Electrolytes.

Iyidobi Tobechukwu Chigha, Iyidobi Theclar Ogochukwu, Uzuegbunam Chisom Oscar, Iyidobi Emmanuel Chino — Nigerian medical journal : journal of the Nigeria Medical Association

Summary

This review examined how various micronutrients, including potassium, influence heart health. It highlighted that maintaining a good balance of electrolytes, especially the ratio of sodium to potassium, is crucial for blood pressure control and overall cardiovascular well-being. The findings suggest that while micronutrients are important, a balanced diet is generally better than universal supplements for prevention.

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Key points

This review explored the complex roles of various micronutrients in preventing heart disease.
Maintaining a healthy balance of electrolytes, particularly the sodium-potassium ratio, is vital for blood pressure and heart health.
While micronutrients are important, the evidence does not support taking universal supplements for heart disease prevention.
Getting nutrients from a balanced diet is generally recommended over relying on supplements.

What the study looked at

This comprehensive review aimed to understand how different micronutrients—like vitamins, trace minerals, and electrolytes such as potassium—are connected to cardiovascular disease and overall heart health. Researchers conducted a systematic review, which means they gathered and analyzed findings from numerous human studies published between 1980 and 2024. They critically evaluated about 70 key studies to synthesize the existing evidence. The review revealed that micronutrients have complex effects on heart health. For instance, maintaining a proper balance of electrolytes, particularly the ratio of sodium to potassium, was identified as a critical factor in regulating blood pressure and influencing cardiovascular outcomes. While some micronutrients showed potential benefits, the overall evidence did not support a general recommendation for everyone to take supplements. Instead, it highlighted the need for personalized approaches to nutrition.

Dietary takeaway

To support heart health, focus on a diet rich in potassium-containing foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, while also being mindful of sodium intake. This helps maintain a healthy sodium-potassium balance, which is important for blood pressure. Remember, this review synthesizes many studies, but individual research findings are not definitive on their own; always consider your overall dietary pattern.

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of global mortality, accounting for approximately 17.3 million deaths annually. The antioxidant effects of certain micronutrients may play a role in CVD prevention. This systematic review critically evaluates the evidence on antioxidant vitamins (C, E, carotenoids), B-complex vitamins, vitamin D, trace minerals (iron, copper, zinc, selenium), and electrolytes (sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium) in cardiovascular health. This scoping review with narrative synthesis was informed by PRISMA principles. PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar were searched (1980-2024) for English-language human studies on micronutrients and cardiovascular outcomes. Study selection involved screening, full-text review, and snowballing. Quality was assessed through critical appraisal. Data were synthesised thematically. Approximately 70 key studies were included from over 200 identified references. Antioxidant vitamins show inconsistent benefits, with some cohorts demonstrating 27-47% risk reductions despite null RCT results. Vitamin D deficiency (30-50% prevalence) is consistently associated with CVD risk, though supplementation trials are mixed. B-vitamins improve endothelial function via homocysteine reduction. Trace minerals demonstrate biphasic relationships, where both deficiency and overload increase CVD risk. Electrolyte balance, particularly the sodium-potassium ratio, critically determines blood pressure and cardiovascular outcomes. Current evidence does not support universal supplementation. The complex relationships between micronutrient status and CVD outcomes underscore the need for personalized approaches.

View on PubMed →DOI: 10.71480/nmj.v67i5.1505