Summary
Background and aim
According to a widespread hypothesis, antioxidative vitamins and trace elements may
protect the body against atherosclerotic diseases, especially in the elderly. We assessed
dietary and serum vitamins and minerals for prediction of acute myocardial infarction
(AMI) and stroke in elderly subjects.
Methods and results
In a population-based health survey with special emphasis on the diet, subjects aged
65–99 years were followed up for up to 10 years. The study population consisted of
361 men and 394 women. Information on individual food consumption was elicited by
means of dietary history interviews. Serum vitamins and mineral elements were analysed
utilizing commonly applied biochemical methods. Prediction analyses were based on
130 cases accumulated in the AMI group, 70 subjects in the stroke group, and corresponding
control subjects. The cases were determined on the basis of revised information from
the National Register of Cases of Death, and from the National Hospital Discharge
Register. Low intake of vitamin D (p=0.011) and low serum levels of 1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D (p=0.0053) were significantly predictive of stroke when adjusted for age, gender, smoking
and functional capacity. On the other hand, high dietary intakes of two flavonoids,
luteolin (p=0.0096) and kaempferol (p=0.002) were associated with lowered risk of AMI. Furthermore, low serum levels of
iron predicted both AMI (p=0.013) and stroke (p=0.019). The results remained essentially unchanged when adjusted for additional major
risk factors of atherosclerosis.
Conclusions
From the items in the dietary interview, low intakes of vitamin D and certain flavonoids
emerged as the sole predictors of AMI and stroke. In biochemical analyses, on the
other hand, these disorders were predicted only by low levels of 1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin
D and iron in the serum.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
January 18,
2005
Received in revised form:
November 16,
2004
Received:
February 9,
2004
Identification
Copyright
© 2005 Elsevier Ltd. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
