Abstract
An increasing body of evidence suggests that free radicals can contribute to the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease in general and coronary artery disease (CAD) in particular and that antioxidant nutrients may be important in their prevention. The antioxidant vitamins A, E and C and β-carotene have been most studied, although selenium and other minerals also have recognized importance. The hypothesis has been explored using descriptive and cross-sectional studies, by case-control and prospective cohort studies and in randomized clinical trials. While not entirely consistent, overall the evidence already supports the use of antioxidants in CAD. Several large-scale randomized trials currently in progress will provide more powerful evidence of the usefulness of antioxidants in both the primary and secondary prevention of CAD. This paper reviews the state of the evidence to date.