Antioxidant Vitamins and Cardiovascular Disease: Evidence from Observational Epidemiologic Studies and Randomized Trials

Despite the proliferation of advertisements touting the benefits of antioxidant vitamins on cardiovascular disease in consumer magazines and on the Internet, this hypothesis has not yet been proven. Basic science and animal research studies have provided plausible biologic mechanisms and some, but not all, observational epidemiologic studies indicate that individuals who self-select for antioxidant vitamins have decreased risks of cardiovascular disease. However, since the benefits postulated are small to moderate in size, the most reliable data on which to base public health recommendations regarding the use of antioxidant supplements will be provided by large-scale randomized trials of sufficient size, dose, and duration. Ultimately, a judgment of benefit, no effect, or harm associated with the use of antioxidant vitamins must be based on an evaluation of the totality of evidence from all these research disciplines.