Both α- and β-carotene, but not tocopherols and vitamin C, are inversely related to 15-year cardiovascular mortality in Dutch elderly men

Abstract

The role of β-carotene, α-tocopherol, and vitamin C in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) is controversial. Prospective studies on γ-tocopherol and carotenoids other than β-carotene are sparse. We assessed relations between the intake of different carotenoids, α- and γ-tocopherol, and vitamin C with 15-y CVD mortality in elderly men who participated in the Zutphen Elderly Study. Information on diet and potential confounding factors was collected in 1985, 1990, and 1995. In 1985, 559 men (mean age ∼72 y) free of chronic diseases were included in the current analysis. After 15 y of follow-up, comprising 5744 person-years, 197 men had died from CVD. After adjustment for age, smoking, and other potential lifestyle and dietary confounders, relative risks (RR) (95% CI) of CVD death for a 1-SD increase in intake were 0.81 (0.66-0.99) for α-carotene and 0.80 (0.66-0.97) for β-carotene. Carrots were the primary source of α- and β-carotene and their consumption was related to a lower risk of death from CVD (adjusted RR, 0.83; 95% CI = 0.68-1.00). Intakes of carotenoids other than α- and β-carotene were not associated with CVD mortality, nor were vitamin C and α- and γ tocopherol. In conclusion, dietary intakes of α-carotene and β-carotene are inversely associated with CVD mortality in elderly men. This study does not indicate an important role for other carotenoids, tocopherols, or vitamin C in lowering the risk of CVD death. © 2008 American Society for Nutrition.