[Value of antioxidants and vitamins in cardiovascular prevention and therapy]

Experimental as well as epidemiological data suggest the use of antioxidants for therapy of atherosclerosis. Feasible, however, seems only the use of antioxidant vitamins. Recent knowledge from published data seems to justify the use of low-dose supplementation in primary prevention of vascular disease. High-dose intervention in secondary prevention, despite promising results from intervention studies, needs further controlled studies, addressing optimal dose or combination therapies.