title: Antioxidants for vascular disease.
abstract: The epidemiologic data do not support a strong role for vitamin C in reducing risk of coronary disease. The evidence supporting a protective effect for the family of dietary carotenoids is stronger, but any important protective effect attributable to the specific supplementation of beta-carotene can be excluded. Conversely, results from observational and experimental studies consistently support an effect of vitamin E supplementation on reducing risk of coronary heart disease. The evidence suggests that the major effect, if any, is found at supplemental intake levels at or greater than 100 IU/d. If confirmed in further trials, the net benefit of vitamin E supplementation among populations with existing coronary disease may be substantial, although the current available evidence is insufficient to warrant a change in public policy recommendations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: E B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Rimm
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Stampfer
mesh_terms: D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012008:Recurrence; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants