SUVIMAX, a major French study investigating the impact of antioxidant vitamins and minerals in the prevention of coronary heart disease and cancer has finally delivered its verdict. Only the men benefited from taking antioxidant supplements… women had a better diet in the first place.

Nutrition experts may already have heard of SUVIMAX but others may need some clarification. SUVIMAX is shorthand for SUppléments en VItamines et Minéraux AntioXydants (Antioxidant Vitamin and Mineral Supplements) and is the first study to demonstrate that dietary supplements reduce both total mortality and the likelihood of developing cancer in Western populations. The study is distinguished by the fact that it has used realistic levels of antio-xidant vitamins and minerals, such as might be obtained naturally through a balanced diet rich in fruit and vegetables, rather than mega-doses which have failed to demonstrate any benefit in many previous studies. For Jean Nève, Professor at the Université Libre in Brussels and member of the SUVIMAX Scientific and Supervisory Committee, this difference is important.

A long time coming

It has taken eight years to collect diet and health information and take blood samples from 13,000 volunteers, 5,000 men and 8,000 women. The participants in the double blind trial, where neither researchers nor subjects knew which group they were in, were split into two groups and given either a cocktail of antioxidants comprising vitamin E, vitamin C, beta-carotene, zinc and selenium, or a placebo. Even at the start of the project differences between the men and women were found, with blood tests revealing that women had higher levels of both vitamin C and beta-carotene.

Men trailing behind

The study’s primary conclusion is that men with the lowest levels of beta-carotene at the beginning of the study have a higher risk of developing cancer and cardiovascular disease, a relationship also found in other studies. However, no such relationship is found in women whose levels of beta-carotene are higher. Deeper analysis reveals a correlation between the concentration of beta-carotene in blood plasma and fruit and vegetable consumption. Clearly, those who consume the least fruit and vegetables, in this case the men, have the lowest levels of beta-carotene.

The good news ... and the bad

Does the consumption of more antioxidants improve your health? This is the crucial question….

• In both men and women, no protective effect against ischemic heart disease could be attributed to taking antioxidant supplements.
• On the other hand, and ONLY in men, a daily antioxidant capsule reduced the risk of developing all types of cancer by 31%.
• The risk of death from all causes was also considerably lowered by 37% in men.

No miracle pill

The messages to be drawn from SUVIMAX are clear. There is no need, as demonstrated by the women in the trial, to rely entirely on antioxidant supplements to reduce the risk of developing cancers. Having a varied diet, rich in fruit and vegetables, is the best prevention. However, as demonstrated by the men, those who consume the least antioxidants from their normal diet have the most to gain and can redress the balance by taking supplements. Alternatively, those extra antioxidants could be obtained straight from the plate. For example, just 60g of grated carrot (beta-carotene) and one kiwi or orange (vitamin C) is equivalent to the dose in SUVIMAX.

FOOD TODAY 01/2004