Antioxidants and cardiovascular disease

Antioxidant vitamin supplements are regularly consumed by over one-third of all adults in the United States. While the health benefits of vitamin supplements are unproven, many lay persons and health professionals believe that pill supplementation with antioxidants is an effective strategy for the prevention and treatment of acute and chronic illnesses, including cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Contrary to the commonly held beliefs, recent large-scale randomized clinical trials have repeatedly documented no benefit from antioxidant vitamin supplements. This chapter reviews evidence for biological plausibility; the major observational studies which linked antioxidant intake to reduced risk of cardiovascular and other chronic diseases. It reviews the large number of trials which, collectively, fail to show benefit of antioxidant vitamin supplement use in preventing CVD and mortality.