09.01.05
Indication: Heart disease and cancer
Source: JAMA, July 6, 2005;294:56-65.
Research: The purpose of the study was to assess whether vitamin E supplementation decreases risks of cardiovascular disease and cancer among healthy women. In the Women’s Health Study conducted between 1992 and 2004, 39,876 healthy U.S. women aged at least 45 years were randomly assigned to receive 600 IU of natural-source vitamin E, or placebo and aspirin, or placebo alone on alternate days. The women were followed up for a little over 10 years.
Results: There were 482 major cardiovascular events in the vitamin E group and 517 in the placebo group, a non-significant 7% risk reduction, according to researchers. In addition, they concluded there were no significant effects on the incidences of myocardial infarction, as well as ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke. For cardiovascular death, however, there was a significant 24% reduction. But there was no significant effect on the incidences of total cancer, or breast, lung or colon cancers. The researchers concluded that 600 IU of natural-source vitamin E taken every other day provided no overall benefit for major cardiovascular events or cancer, did not affect total mortality and decreased cardiovascular mortality in healthy women. Researchers claim that these data do not support recommending vitamin E supplementation for cardiovascular disease or cancer prevention among healthy women.
Source: JAMA, July 6, 2005;294:56-65.
Research: The purpose of the study was to assess whether vitamin E supplementation decreases risks of cardiovascular disease and cancer among healthy women. In the Women’s Health Study conducted between 1992 and 2004, 39,876 healthy U.S. women aged at least 45 years were randomly assigned to receive 600 IU of natural-source vitamin E, or placebo and aspirin, or placebo alone on alternate days. The women were followed up for a little over 10 years.
Results: There were 482 major cardiovascular events in the vitamin E group and 517 in the placebo group, a non-significant 7% risk reduction, according to researchers. In addition, they concluded there were no significant effects on the incidences of myocardial infarction, as well as ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke. For cardiovascular death, however, there was a significant 24% reduction. But there was no significant effect on the incidences of total cancer, or breast, lung or colon cancers. The researchers concluded that 600 IU of natural-source vitamin E taken every other day provided no overall benefit for major cardiovascular events or cancer, did not affect total mortality and decreased cardiovascular mortality in healthy women. Researchers claim that these data do not support recommending vitamin E supplementation for cardiovascular disease or cancer prevention among healthy women.