Vitamin C consumption is associated with less progression in carotid intima media thickness in elderly men: A 3-year intervention study.

摘要

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Plant foods may lower the risk of cardiovascular disease. METHODS AND RESULTS: We assessed changes in the intima media thickness (IMT) of the carotid artery and diet in elderly men. Men (n=563) aged 70+/-5 years were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 groups (dietary intervention, omega-3 supplementation, both or neither) using a 2 x 2 factorial design. B-mode ultrasound of the carotid arteries and calculation of dietary intake were performed at baseline and after 3 years. We previously showed that omega-3 supplementation did not influence the IMT, thus the dietary intervention (n=233) and no dietary intervention (n=231) groups were pooled. The dietary intervention group had less progression in the carotid IMT compared with the controls (0.044+/-0.091 mm versus 0.062+/-0.105 mm; P=0.047). This group increased their daily vitamin C intake (P=0.005) and intake of fruit, berries and vegetables (P