Is there a role for antioxidant vitamins in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases?
OBJECTIVES: To review prospective epidemiological studies and randomized clinical trials regarding the role of antioxidant vitamins (vitamins E and C and beta-carotene) in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. DATA SOURCES: Computerized (MEDLINE and Science Citation Index) and manual searches on the role of antioxidant vitamins in cardiovascular disease management. STUDY SELECTION: Only prospective epidemiological studies and double-blind, controlled, randomized clinical trials, including at least 100 participants and providing sufficient data to allow quantitative estimation of the effects of vitamin intake were included. Retrospective epidemiological evaluations and other retrospective studies were excluded. Geographic correlation studies of population-based intake of antioxidants and cardiovascular disease rates were also excluded due to the potential large impact of confounders in cross-sectional analyses. DATA SYNTHESIS: Relative risk was evaluated for all prospective epidemi
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