Vitamins benefit divers' health

[Dave]

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 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. 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."

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