Vitamin E Supplements - Benefits and Side Effects

Taking a vitamin E supplement can improve your health, but it comes with some potential side effects. Taking too much can be dangerous, especially if you have a serious condition like heart disease. Some people even experience increased risk of lung cancer and preeclampsia. If you want to reduce your risk, we suggest taking as little as 400 IU per day. However, if you do take it on a regular basis, you should consult a doctor first.
Reduces risk of myocardial infarction
A new study reports that vitamin E supplementation may lower the risk of myocardial infarction. Researchers included 745 men and women who were at least 55 years old. Participants were randomized to receive 400 IU of vitamin E daily, or to a drug called ramipril. The study's results are reported in a companion article. For now, the study is considered to be inconclusive.
Researchers pooled data from 16 randomized controlled trials to examine the effects of vitamin E on the risk of myocardial infarction. They found that supplementation with vitamin E alone significantly decreased the risk of myocardial infarction by 20 percent. The effects were seen in nonfatal as well as fatal myocardial infarction. Supplementation with antioxidants did not have a significant effect on overall mortality or reduce the risk of heart attack.
The study included 1,434 patients with diabetes who took a daily dose of vitamin E 400 IU. These patients carried the Hp2-2 gene, which has a lower efficacy in removing pro-oxidant hemoglobin from the blood. However, those who took 400 IU of vitamin E for 18 months were at significantly lower risk of myocardial infarction compared to placebo-treated patients.
Increases risk of lung cancer
One of the biggest questions facing modern medicine is whether vitamin E supplements increase the risk of lung cancer. In a recent study, doctors found that people who take more than 400 IU of vitamin E each day increased their risk of lung cancer by 28%. The study also found that high intake of vitamin E was associated with a greater risk of non-small cell lung cancer. The study also revealed that high doses of vitamin E were associated with a greater risk of lung cancer, especially in smokers.
Researchers found that a-tocopherol is the major form of vitamin E in the body. This type of vitamin is responsible for most of the antioxidant functions of the VE, and its high activity has been studied extensively in cancer prevention studies. While lower VE intake is associated with an increased risk of cancer, supplementation of a-T reduced mortality in some intervention studies. However, this protective effect has not been shown in large intervention studies, and recent research has focused on the g and d-forms and tocotrienols.
While vitamin E is associated with an increased risk of lung cancer, there is still a link between vitamin E and other antioxidants. The combination of vitamin E and other antioxidants has been found to reduce the risk of lung cancer. However, research is still needed to determine the optimal dosage of vitamin E. The authors of this study, Roberto Pastor-Barriuso Ph.D., Darshan Dalal M.D., M.P.H., and Rudolph A. Riemersma Ph.D., Eliseo Guallar M.D., are currently investigating the connection between vitamin E and lung cancer.
Reduces risk of preeclampsia
While there is no surefire way to prevent preeclampsia, there are some things you can do that will significantly reduce your risk. Prenatal visits, high-fiber diet, and regular checkups with your doctor can all help. While the risk for preeclampsia is very high, most women who develop it go on to have healthy babies. These visits are crucial to the health of the mother and child.
Low-dose aspirin is another recommended prevention method for pregnant women. When taken daily before 16 weeks of gestation, aspirin can lower the risk of preeclampsia by 60 percent, and overall preeclampsia rates by 30%. For women at higher risk, aspirin should be taken with caution. Some women may experience hypertension during pregnancy, but they should be monitored closely.
Antioxidant supplements can also reduce the risk of preeclampsia. One study looked at the effect of antioxidant supplements in women who had preeclampsia. The researchers measured plasma antioxidant levels in pregnant women and found that those who consumed higher levels of antioxidants were 71% less likely to develop preeclampsia. Zeaxanthin and beta-cryptoxanthin were particularly effective.
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