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Antioxidants and Cardiovascular Disease

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Oxidative Stress and Vascular Disease

Part of the book series: Developments in Cardiovascular Medicine ((DICM,volume 224))

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Abstract

Oxidative stress is thought to have an important role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. The preceding chapters of this book have reviewed the scientific basis of this hypothesis, involving oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and subsequent effects on endothelial structure and function, recruitment of monocyte/macrophages, and development of foam cells in an atheroma. Because antioxidant compounds are found in certain foods, the possibility that diets high in these compounds can help prevent cardiovascular disease has long been considered. Over one hundred observational and epidemiological studies, from the 1950s to the present, have examined the role of dietary antioxidants in cardiovascular disease. Many of these studies suggest that diets high in vitamin C, β-carotene, and α-tocopherol may reduce moderately the incidence of atherosclerosis, stroke, and ischemic heart disease.

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Authors
  1. J. Michael Gaziano
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA

    John F. Keaney Jr. M.D. (Associate Professor of Medicine and Pharmacology) (Associate Professor of Medicine and Pharmacology)

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Gaziano, J.M. (2000). Antioxidants and Cardiovascular Disease. In: Keaney, J.F. (eds) Oxidative Stress and Vascular Disease. Developments in Cardiovascular Medicine, vol 224. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-4649-8_13

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-4649-8_13

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4613-7103-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4615-4649-8

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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