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Randomized trials have shown, unexpectedly, that supplementation with selenium or vitamin E is associated with a reduction of prostate cancer risk. We assess whether a supplementation with low doses of antioxidant vitamins and minerals could reduce the occurrence of prostate cancer and influence biochemical markers. The SU.VI.MAX trial comprised 5,141 men randomized to take either a placebo or a supplementation with nutritional doses of vitamin C, vitamin E, b-carotene, selenium and zinc daily for 8 years. Biochemical markers of prostate cancer risk such as prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) were measured on plasma samples collected at enrollment and at the end of follow-up from 3,616 men. Cox regression models were used to estimate the hazard ratio and related 95% confidence interval of prostate cancer associated with the supplementation and to examine whether the effect differed among predetermined susceptible subgroups. During the follow-up, 103 cases of prostate cancer were diagnosed. Overall, there was a moderate nonsignificant reduction in prostate cancer rate associated with the supplementation (hazard ratio = 0.88; 95% CI = 0.60-1.29). However, the effect differed significantly between men with normal baseline PSA (< 3 lg/L) and those with elevated PSA (p = 0.009). Among men with normal PSA, there was a marked statistically significant reduction in the rate of prostate cancer for men receiving the supplements (hazard ratio = 0.52; 95% CI = 0.29-0.92). In men with elevated PSA at baseline, the supplementation was associated with an increased incidence of prostate cancer of borderline statistical significance (hazard ratio = 1.54; 95% CI = 0.87-2.72). The supplementation had no effect on PSA or IGF levels. Our findings support the hypothesis that chemoprevention of prostate cancer can be achieved with nutritional doses of antioxidant vitamins and minerals. ' 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.Key words: prostate cancer; randomized controlled trial; antioxidant vitamins and minerals; chemoprevention; PSA; IGF; beta carotene; alpha-tocopherol; vitamin C; selenium; zinc Prevention of prostate cancer by antioxidant vitamins and minerals is an area of intensive research since 2 randomized trials have shown, unexpectedly, that supplementation with selenium or vitamin E was associated with a significant reduction of prostate cancer risk. 1,2 These findings remain to be confirmed by 2 large randomized trials specifically designed to assess the effect of antioxidant micronutrients supplementation on prostate cancer risk. 3,4 In these trials, large doses of antioxidant vitamins are brought by the supplementation. However, there is evidence to suggest that the preventative effect of supplementation is mainly observed among men with low baseline status of antioxidant vitamins or minerals. 1,5 Some studies, 5-10 but not others, [11][12][13] have shown that men with low levels of antioxidant vitamins or minerals are at increased risk of developing prostate cancer. It is therefore possible that the...

These results suggest that high fruit and vegetable intakes may be associated with a lower increase in BP with aging.

Background Numerous studies support the protective effect of high fruit and vegetable consumption on chronic disease risk, mainly against cancer and cardiovascular diseases. The increase of fruit and vegetable intake has become a public health priority in many countries. Objective The aim of the study was to investigate the relationships of socioeconomic, demographic, and behavioral factors with both quantity and variety of fruit and vegetable consumption. Design/subjects Fruit and vegetable intake was assessed using repeated 24-hour dietary records collected during a 2-year period from 4,282 French subjects (2,373 men and 1,909 women), aged 45 to 62 years, who participated in a large prospective study. Statistical analysis Both education level and occupation categories were used as socioeconomic indicators. Logistic regression models were applied to assess factors related to meeting the 5 A Day fruit and vegetable recommendation. Covariance analyses were performed to compare the fruit and vegetable variety scores and the contributions of fruit and vegetables to the total daily diet cost across socioeconomic indicators within each sex.Results Meeting the 5 A Day recommendation was more likely in subjects aged 50 years and older, higher education levels, nonsmokers, moderate alcohol drinkers and in women engaging in regular physical activity. The odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for the lower vs higher education level was 0.70 (0.54 to 0.92) in men and 0.65 (0.48 to 0.85) in women. No significant difference was observed between occupation categories. A positive relationship between vegetable variety and education level was found in both sexes. Fruit variety was positively associated with both education and occupation categories, but only in men. The contribution of fruits to the total daily diet cost increased with occupation (PϽ0.02) and education (PϽ0.0001) in men, but decreased with occupation in women (PϽ0.05). Conclusions Although cost constraints may explain the lower fruit and vegetable intake in lower socioeconomic groups, the relative influence of budgetary resources, nutrition knowledge, and social and environmental barriers in socioeconomic disparities need further investigation.

Background/Objectives: Few studies have investigated dietary patterns among French adults. We aimed to identify dietary patterns and their relation with nutrient intakes, sociodemographic, lifestyle and other health indicators in a large population of middle-aged subjects living in France. Subjects/Methods: Dietary patterns were identified using factor analysis in 5194 women and men aged 45-60 years enrolled in the SU.VI.MAX (Supplémentation en Vitamines et Minéraux Antioxydants) study. Dietary data were based on repeated 24-h dietary records (at least six records during 2 years). Results: Four patterns were identified: (1) 'alcohol and meat products'; (2) 'prudent diet'; (3) 'convenience foods'; and (4) 'starch, sauces, and vegetables'. The first pattern was positively associated with low education, smoking and overweight in both genders, as well as with abdominal obesity in women and treated hyperlipidaemia and/or hypertension in men. The second pattern was positively correlated with high education and being older than 55 years and negatively correlated with current smoking. This pattern was also associated with overweight and low waist circumference in women and with hyperlipidaemia treatment in men. The third pattern was inversely related to age and positively related to higher education in both genders. In men, higher scores were related to living alone and an urban residence. The fourth pattern was associated with high education and an urban residence in men only. Conclusions: Our study identified four dietary patterns in this population of French middle-aged adults. Associations with sociodemographic, behavioural and health-related factors were found to differ according to dietary patterns. Sex-specific relationships were also found.