Antioxidants & Chronic Pancreatitis

A new study published in Gastroenterology suggests that antioxidant supplementation was effective in relieving pain and reducing levels of oxidative stress in patients with chronic pancreatitis. The researchers investigated the potential of antioxidants since oxidative stress is implicated in the development of chronic pancreatitis.*

The study, lead by Pramod Kumar Garg of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi, included 127 patients with pancreatitis. Fifty-six participants were assigned to receive daily supplements of antioxidants- 600 micrograms of organic selenium, 0.54 g ascorbic acid, 9,000 IU beta-carotene, 270 IU alpha- tocopherol and 2 g methionine for six months. The rest of the participants were given a placebo. At the end of the 6 month period 32% of pancreatitis patients became pain-free, compared to only 13% in the placebo group. Researchers noted beneficial effect of antioxidants on pain relief occuring as early as three months.

Antioxidants can be found in the Viteyes AREDS formulas, Viteyes® Complete and Viteyes Multivitamin AREDS Companion.

*P. Bhardwaj, P.K. Garg, S.K. Maulik, A. Saraya, R.K. Tandon, S.K. Acharya. “A Randomized Controlled Trial of Antioxidant Supplementation for Pain Relief in Patients With Chronic Pancreatitis.” Gastroenterology. January 2009, Volume 136, Issue 1, Pages 149-159.e2.