A study conducted by Tufts University researchers has determined that vitamin deficiencies may be partially to blame for metabolic syndrome (MS), a disorder that predisposes individuals to heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
In a survey of people aged 65 and older, nutrition experts discovered that those suffering from the syndrome are much more likely to be deficient in vitamins C and E.
Conducted by scientists at the U.S. Department of Agricultures Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, the survey of body types, vitamin levels and disease determined that 40 percent of the participants had MS.
The disorder appeared overwhelmingly in women and in the obese. While 19 percent of male participants tested positive for MS, a full 80 percent of women had it.
The studys authors pointed to nutrient deficiency as a probable contributor to MS, which they described as a condition of being both obese and undernourished. The diet eaten by the participants consisted mainly of rice, potatoes, bleached flour and sugar.
Consuming plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables may help prevent the syndrome, as well as improving ones overall health.
In addition to maintaining good cardiovascular health, a vitamin-rich diet of produce is an important tool in the fight against obesity, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.