01.01.05
The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), Washington, D.C., has launched a national campaign to reassure the public of the safety and benefits of vitamin E following recent publication of a meta-analysis on the supplement that drew conclusions inconsistent with the totality of the evidence. The initial phase of CRN’s campaign included a national advertising effort with a full-page ad in the Nov. 29th editions of the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times and USA Today. The ad featured quotes from prominent health researchers refuting the negative claims of the recent meta-analysis, noting the many benefits of vitamin E. The ad further focused on the fact that the Institute of Medicine, a scientific advisory body, reviewed 340 peer-reviewed scientific studies and references on vitamin E, including most of the studies covered in the meta-analysis, and concluded that vitamin E is safe at levels as high as 1000 mg per day (1500 IU for natural vitamin E, or 1000 IU of synthetic vitamin E). Other facets of the public awareness campaign include a vitamin E-dedicated section of the CRN website (www.crnusa.org/vitaminEissafe.html), outreach to media including an editor/reporter seminar on vitamin E to be held this month, and other public relations activities such as outreach to pharmacists and dietitians.