Cardiovascular risk not affected by carotenoids

Cardiovascular outcomes were also analyzed as part of the second Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) to determine the impact that supplements containing omega-3s, lutein and zeaxanthin had on cardiovascular disease risk. Previous diet studies had suggested that high intake of omega-3 fatty acids can reduce rates of cardiac death. 4,203 people were randomly selected to either take supplements containing omega-3s, lutein and zeaxanthin or to take a placebo. The majority of study participants were white, highly educated, married and had a median age of 74. Researchers found no reduction in cardiovascular disease among the patients who took the supplements. This information corresponds with previous study results from clinical trials that also found that moderate levels of dietary supplementation do not lessen the risk of cardiovascular disease.