Antioxidant vitamins and the prevention of coronary heart disease

Clinical use of antioxidant vitamin supplementation may help to prevent cor onary heart disease (CHD), Epidemiologic studies find lower CHD morbidity a nd mortality in persons: who consume larger quantities of antioxidants in f oods or supplements, Clinical trials indicate that supplementation with cer tain nutrients is beneficial:in reducing the incidence of CHD events. Recen t studies show that supplementation with antioxidant vitamins E and C have benefits in CHD prevention; however, supplementation with beta-carotene may have deleterious effects and is not recommended. Current evidence suggests that patients with CHD would probably benefit from taking vitamin E in a d osage of 400 IU per day and vitamin C in a dosage of 500 to 1,000 mg per da y. Clinicians may also want to consider vitamin supplementation for CHD pre vention in high-risk patients. Folate lowers elevated homocysteine levels. but evidence for routine supplemental use does not yet exist. Other nutriti onal supplements are currently under investigation.