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Robert M. Russell, MD

JAMA. 1993;270(2):233-234.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text PDF and any section headings.

Micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) are the focal point of the most recent advances in nutrition, particularly as they relate to the prevention of chronic disease.

Coronary heart disease accounts for about 35% of deaths in the United States. Elevated levels of blood homocysteine have been shown to be associated with an increased risk of myocardial infarction, independent of other known risk factors.¹ The mechanism whereby such damage occurs is uncertain, although homocysteine may act as a direct vascular toxin. Deficiencies of folic acid, vitamin B₆, and vitamin B₁₂ may all lead to moderate homocysteinemia by causing disturbances in homocysteine metabolism. Since folate and vitamin B₆ deficiencies are particularly common among elderly Americans, the stage is now set for randomized controlled trials of vitamin supplementation to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease and other vascular diseases.²

In addition, preliminary evidence suggests that natural antioxidants (vitamin . . . [Full Text PDF of this Article]

Author Affiliations
Tufts University, Boston, Mass

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