Cardiovascular

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) continues to be the leading cause of mortality across both sexes and all races and ethnicities in the United States. Among deaths attributable to CVD, coronary heart disease is the highest contributor to mortality (43.8% of deaths) followed by stroke, high blood pressure, and heart failure. Many of the traditional risk factors for CVD—such as obesity, poor nutrition, cigarette smoking, and physical inactivity—are thought to increase inflammation and oxidative stress, thereby contributing to atherogenesis. Micronutrients, including many vitamins and minerals such as selenium and zinc, are involved in pathways that can modulate inflammation and oxidative damage and thus are thought to play a role in reducing CVD risk.