[Antioxidant micronutrients and chronic degenerative pathology: the role of complementary nutritional doses]

Many epidemiologic studies based on an observational approach indicate that a high dietary intake or high blood concentrations of some antioxidant micronutrients are associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases and cancer at several common sites. Inconsistent results of intervention trials suggest that low risk of pathologies may be related to multiple nutrients consumed, at nutritional doses, and in combination. This hypothesis was the rationale of the SU.VI.MAX. study, a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled, primary-prevention trial designed to test the efficacy of a daily supplementation with antioxidant vitamins and minerals at nutritional doses in reducing the major health problems in industrialized countries, and especially the main causes of premature death (cancers and cardiovascular diseases).