Does taking antioxidants have a positive effect against vascular conditions?

Antioxidants and CHD: There is no randomized clinical trial data to suggest any benefit of antioxidant supplements in the prevention of cardiovascular disease. In the one large randomized clinical trial that investigated this, the hats study, patients with cardiovascular disease treated with cholesterol lowering medicines lost any benefit of protection with antioxidants were added to the lipid lowering medications.

No: After extensive research, the use of antioxidants does not alter or prevent any vascular or heart related illness. Antioxidants do appear to be effective at slowing down the progression of age related macular degeneration.

Grandma was right: Eat your fruits and vegetables, nature's antioxidant cocktail. Almost every study using supplements has failed to show benefit, and may actually undo benefit from meds (go figure)-see dr. Underberg's response. Much easier to prevent than to treat. Encourage kids to eat fruits and veggies (not juices, watch the calories/sugars). Never too late to start.

"C" you later.: I guess it all depends on what is meant by vascular conditions as well as what is meant by anti-oxidants. Consider vitamin "C", an antioxidant, which has been used for many years to treat and improve the condition known as "scurvy", which is by most, considered a vascular condition.