DIETARY ANTIOXIDANT VITAMIN INTAKE AND LUNG-FUNCTION IN THE GENERAL-POPULATION

We have investigated the relation between lung function and dietary in take of the antioxidant vitamins C and E in the general population in a cross-sectional survey of a random sample of adults from the elector al register of an administrative area of Nottingham. In 2,633 subjects 18 to 70 yr of age, we measured FEV(1) and FVC, allergen skin sensiti vity to grass pollen, cat fur, and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, pac k-years smoking exposure by personal recall, and usual dietary intake of vitamins C and E by semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. After adjustment for the effects of age, sex, height, mean allergen sk in wheal diameter, and pack-years smoking history, both FEV(1) and NC were significantly and independently related to mean daily intake of v itamin C, such that a standard deviation (40 mg/d) higher vitamin C in take was associated with a 25.0 (95% CI, 5.2 to 44.8; p = 0.01) ml hig her FEV(1) and a 23.3 (0.94 to 45.7, p = 0.04) mi higher FVC. There wa s also an association between vitamin E intake and lung function, such that a standard deviation (2.2 mg) higher intake of vitamin E was ass ociated with a 20.1 (1.3 to 40.4, p = 0.04) ml higher FEV(1) and a 23. 1 (1.0 to 45, p = 0.04) mi higher NC. However, vitamin C and vitamin E intakes were significantly correlated (r = 0.29, p < 0.001), and afte r allowing for the effects of vitamin C there was no additional indepe ndent effect of vitamin E on either FEV(1) or FVC. These data support the hypothesis that lung function in the general population is related to antioxidant vitamin intake and that these vitamins may have a role in protecting against the development of chronic obstructive pulmonar y disease.