Antioxidants with coronary artery disease
Epidemiological studies have suggested that high intake of antioxidants may modify coronary artery disease risk. The relative impact of vitamin E, vitamin C, beta carotene and flavonoids still remains unclear. Nurses Health Study and the Health Professional’s Follow-up Study showed 34% and 36% reduction in coronary events, respectively among women and men who take vitamin E supplement regularly. Oxidized LDL (bad cholesterol particles are believed to play a key role in the atherogenesis (blockage formation). So, theoretically any oxidant is likely to prevent coronary artery narrowing by preventing oxidation of LDL. In the European Community Multicenter Study on Antioxidants, Myocardial Infarction and breast cancer trial high beta carotene intake was protective only among smokers; vitamin C intake showed no relationship with coronary artery disease.
Results from most of the observational and experimental studies consistently support an effect of vitamin E supplemental on reducing the risk of heart attack. It is suggested that supplemental intake of vitamin E at or above 100 IU/day will reduce incidence of coronary artery disease. Long-term intake of vitamin E may reduce the progression of blockage in coronary arteries.
