Individuals with decreased micronutrient intake have a significantly higher risk of coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, heart failure (HF) and all-cause mortality based on new data presented today at the World Congress of Cardiology in Beijing, China.

Decreased micronutrient intake was associated with increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease (CVD) in White Americans (x1.4), African Americans (x1.3) and Mexican Americans (x1.6). Dr Longjian Liu from Philadelphia affirmed that, “this study is the first to demonstrate that multiple micronutrients have significant predicting effects on CVD risk and all-cause mortality among White Americans and minorities.”

Micronutrients are involved in the homeostatic regulation encompassing processes closely involved in cardiovascular physiologic functions. Inflammation is a major etiology determinant of multiple disease status including CHD, stroke, HF and cardiovascular complications in patients with co-morbidities including chronic kidney disease and diabetes. The study was designed to test the hypothesis that the influence of micronutrients on the risk of CVD and all-cause mortality is related to oxidative and inflammatory pathways.Data reported in the United States National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III (1988-1996) and its mortality follow-up data in December 2000 were analyzed to test the hypothesis.

Over 9,000 participants aged 45 years and above, including White Americans, African Americans and Mexican Americans were studied.