Micronutrient deficiencies in heart failure: Mitochondrial dysfunction as a common pathophysiological mechanism?

Summary

This narrative review synthesises evidence linking micronutrient deficiencies to impaired mitochondrial energy production in heart failure. The authors argue that up to 50% of heart failure patients exhibit deficiency in one or more micronutrients critical for ATP synthesis, and propose that micronutrient supplementation—delivered as a multi-nutrient package rather than singly—warrants investigation as an adjunctive therapeutic approach to improve cardiac energy metabolism and reduce disease burden.

Regional applicability

The mechanistic findings and therapeutic hypothesis are applicable to heart failure management globally, including the United Kingdom. However, the prevalence estimates and clinical applicability in UK populations would benefit from validation in UK-based cohorts, and any future supplementation strategy would require robust evidence from randomised controlled trials before informing clinical practice guidelines.

Key measures

Prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies in heart failure populations; mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation capacity; cardiac ATP depletion; reactive oxygen species production

Outcomes reported

The study examined the relationship between micronutrient deficiencies (coenzyme Q10, zinc, copper, selenium, iron) and mitochondrial dysfunction in heart failure patients. The authors propose that micronutrient supplementation may represent a therapeutic strategy to address impaired ATP production in failing myocardium.

Topic tags