Supplemental Vitamins C and E, Beta Carotene: Not Effective in Women at High Risk of Cardiovascular Events/Death

Filed in archive Cardiovascular Health , Cases , Studies on August 20, 2007

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While Reduced Glutathione has been found to aggravate heart disease, Vitamins C and E and beta carotene (either alone or in combination) have been found to not reduce the risk of cardiovascular events or death in women at high risk for heart disease.

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Free radicals cause oxidative damage that contributes to the development of cardiovascular disease. Antioxidants -such as Vitamins C and beta carotene - scavenge these free radicals thereby limiting the damage that they can cause.

"Diets high in fruit and vegetable intake, and thus rich in such antioxidants, have been associated with reduced rates of coronary heart disease and stroke. Vitamins C and E and beta carotene are potential mediators of the apparent protective effect of a plant-based diet on cardiovascular disease."

The above findings (antioxidants showing no clear benefit against cardiovascular events in high risk women) reported in the August 13/27 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine (one of the JAMA and Archives Journals)- have been derived by a team from Brigham & Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School in 8,171 women 40 years or older (average age 60.6) which was monitored from 1995 to 1996.

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The study's authors concluded:

"Overall, we found no benefit on the primary combined end point for any of the antioxidant agents tested, alone or in combination. We also found no evidence for harm.

While additional research into combinations of agents, particularly for stroke, may be of interest, widespread use of these individual agents for cardiovascular protection does not appear warranted."

Could it be that dietary sources of Vitamins C and E, and beta-carotene are more effective than the supplemental forms? Either that or these antioxidants prevent only against cancer and not cardiovascular events in particular.

Anyway, the antioxidants caused no harm even if they have no clear benefit in this particular population. Maybe other patient population may benefit from these particular antioxidants.

Source: JAMA