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Issue # 59.1 - Antitoxidant EffectsCan carotenoids reduce the risk of heart disease? This study was originally designed in 1984 for the purpose of monitoring the dietary carotenoid intake of 73,286 female nurses over a period of 12 years. The objective of the study was to examine the relationship between specific dietary carotenoids and the incidence of coronary artery disease (CAD). During the 12 year period, 998 incident cases of CAD were identified and after adjustment for age, smoking and other CAD risk factors, a significant association between high intakes of alpha carotene and beta carotene and a decreased incidence of CAD was observed. A high dietary consumption of carotenoids may help to reduce the risk of heart disease which may be due to their potent antioxidant activity. J Clin Nutr 2003; 77: 1390-9 Can a multivitamin supplement cut work absences? The object of this study was to determine the effect of a daily multivitamin and mineral supplement on infection and wellbeing, among subjects with type-2 diabetes. It was a randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled trial which incorporated 130 adults who were assigned to take either a multivitamin and mineral supplement or placebo daily for 1 year. The results of the study showed that more participants receiving placebo reported an infectious illness during the year than those taking the supplement. The study concluded that the multivitamin and mineral supplement reduced the incidence of infection and related absenteeism in a sample of participants with type-2 diabetes and a high prevalence of subclinical micronutrient deficiency. Ann Intern Med. 2003; 138: 365-371 Quit smoking and increase antioxidant levels! This study was designed to investigate whether the cessation of smoking could help to increase plasma antioxidant levels. There is already evidence which supports the theory that smoking increases free-radical production and decreases antioxidant levels, but no study has been done which assesses the effects of stopping smoking. The results showed that cigarette smoking cessation is followed by a marked increase in plasma antioxidant levels and also increases plasma resistance to oxidative stress. These findings suggest that quitting smoking is an irreplaceable preventive strategy against tobacco-induced oxidative stress and vascular damage. British Journal of Nutrition 2003, 90, 147-150 |