Dietary and supplemental antioxidant intake and risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in older men: The concord health and ageing in men project
Arpita Das Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases: April 2021 (Volume 31, Issue 4)
Highlights
• Dietary or supplemental antioxidant intake is not associated with risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in older Australian men.
• Dietary antioxidant intake is associated with congestive cardiac failure (CCF).
• Supplemental antioxidant is not associated with congestive cardiac failure (CCF).
• Dietary intake of zinc, but not other antioxidants, is associated with congestive cardiac failure (CCF).
Background and aims
The role of antioxidant intake in cardiovascular disease remains inconclusive. This study evaluates the association between antioxidant intake and the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) among older Australian men.
Methods and results
794 men aged ≥75 years participated in the 3rd wave of the Concord Health and Ageing in Men Project. Dietary adequacy of antioxidant intake was assessed by comparing participants' intake of vitamins A, E, C and zinc to the Nutrient Reference Values (NRV) for Australia. Attainment of NRVs of antioxidants was categorised into a dichotomised variable ‘inadequate’ (meeting≤2 of 4 antioxidants) or ‘adequate’ (meeting≥3 of 4 antioxidants). The usage of antioxidant supplements was assessed. The outcome measure was MACE. The composite MACE endpoint was defined as having one of the following: death, myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, congestive cardiac failure (CCF), and revascularization during the period of observation.
There was no significant association between dietary (HR: 1.03, 95% CI: 0.71, 1.48) or supplemental antioxidant intake (HR: 1.10, 95% CI: 0.75, 1.63) and overall MACE. However, a significant association was observed between inadequate antioxidant intake and CCF (HR: 1.32; 95% CI: 1.16, 1.50). The lowest quartile of zinc intake (<11.00 mg/d) was significantly associated with CCF (HR 2.36; 95% CI: 1.04, 5.34). None of the other antioxidants were significantly associated with CCF or other MACE components.
Conclusion
Inadequate dietary antioxidant intake, particularly zinc, is associated with increased risk of CCF in older Australian men but not associated with overall MACE.