J Korean Acad Fam Med.  2002 Dec;23(12):1423-1431.

Effects of Dietary Antioxidant Vitamins and Fiber on the Risk of Myocardial Infarction

• Chung JH
• Choi CJ
• Lee KS
• Chung CE
• Kim KS
• Ahn HS

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Even though antioxidant vitamins and fiber have been hypothesized to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease, few observational studies have been done in Korea.
METHODS
The study sample consisted of 102 myocardial infarction (MI) patients and 112 control subjects admitted in Medical College of Catholic University in Korea. Dietary habits and nutrient intakes were assessed by a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire.
RESULTS
Dietary consumptions of antioxidant vitamins, such as vitamin C, vitamin A, and fiber per energy were significantly higher in the controls than in the myocardial infarction patients. Odds ratios of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E and fiber in the 4th quartile compared with the 1st quartile were 0.41 (95% CI 0.18~0.90), 0.33 (95% CI 0.15~0.75), 0.89 (95% CI 0.41~1.94), 0.27 (95% CI 0.12~0.63), respectively.
CONCLUSION
These findings suggest that higher intake of foods rich in antioxidant vitamins and fiber can substantially reduce the risk of MI in middle-aged men.

Keyword

antioxidant vitamin; fiber; myocardial infarction

MeSH Terms

Ascorbic Acid
Coronary Disease
Food Habits
Humans
Korea
Male
Myocardial Infarction*
Odds Ratio
Vitamin A
Vitamin E
Vitamins*
Surveys and Questionnaires
Ascorbic Acid
Vitamin A
Vitamin E
Vitamins