Beta-Carotene Protects Against Heart Attack 31804

Beta-Carotene Protects Against Heart Attack

BOSTON--In a study reported in the July issueof the Journal of Nutrition (135:1763-69), researchers from HarvardUniversity and the University of Costa Rica reported intake of fruits andvegetables rich in beta-carotene are inversely related to risk of myocardialinfarction. Adipose levels of carotenoids and tocopherols were measured in CostaRican subjects who had experienced their first heart attack. Those in the lowestquintile of beta-carotene levels showed a significantly higher risk of heartattack, compared to those in the highest quintile. Conversely, lutein andzeaxanthin in adipose tissue or the diet were positively associated with risk ofheart attack.