The metabolic syndrome and antioxidant concentrations: Findings from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Oxidative stress may play a role in the pathophysiology of diabetes and cardiovascular disease, but little is known about antioxidant status among individuals with the metabolic syndrome who are at high risk for devel-oping these conditions. Using data from the Third Na-tional Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1988– 1994), we compared circulating concentrations of vitamins A, C, and E; retinyl esters; five carotenoids; and selenium in 8,808 U.S. adults aged>20 years with and without the metabolic syndrome. After adjusting for age, sex, race or ethnicity, education, smoking sta-tus, cotinine concentration, physical activity, fruit and vegetable intake, and vitamin or mineral use, partici-pants with the metabolic syndrome had significantly lower concentrations of retinyl esters, vitamin C, an