Studies on vitamin E seemed to suggest that supplementing the diet with vitamin E helps in preventing cancer and heart problems. Recently, a study
Studies on vitamin E seemed to suggest that supplementing the diet with vitamin E helps in preventing cancer and heart problems. Recently, a study published In Journal Of American Medical association, says the reality of taking vitamin E supplements may be something very different.
The researchers had studied patients with cardiovascular diseases through Heart Outcomes Prevention Evaluation or HOPE centers between 1993 and 1999, and the extended program of HOPE- The Ongoing Outcomes or HOPE-TOO from 1999 to 2003. All the participants in the trial were given a daily dose of natural source of vitamin E or matching placebo.The study results show that in patients with cardiovascular disease or diabetes mellitus, higher doses of vitamin E supplements taken for a long time do not show any positive effect in preventing cancer or any major cardiac problems. On the other hand, taking such a supplement of vitamin E may increase the risk of ischemia or of heart failure in people.
The recommended dietary allowance for vitamin E is 15mg daily. However, the supplements available in the market contain 400 to 800mg, while the multivitamins contain much less doses. Hence any supplement of vitamin E taken daily for long term may cause more damage than good.
Reference: http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/short/293/11/1338
