Vitamin E supplementation in cardiovascular disease and cancer prevention: Part 1.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To review clinical trials evaluating the safety and efficacy of vitamin E supplementation in cardiovascular disease and cancer prevention.

DATA SOURCES:

Using the MeSH search terms alpha-tocopherol, tocopherols, vitamin E, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, malignancy, and clinical trials, a literature review was conducted to identify peer-reviewed articles in MEDLINE (1966-July 2005).

STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION:

Published materials including original research, and previous meta-analyses were included. Only English-language articles and trials on vitamin E alone or in combination with other vitamins or minerals were reviewed. Emphasis was placed on prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials.

DATA SYNTHESIS:

Eight clinical studies demonstrated contradicting results regarding the benefits of vitamin E in the prevention of cardiovascular disease and cancer. There is enough evidence from large, well-designed studies to discourage the use of vitamin E in the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Secondary prevention requires more adequate clinical trials with selected populations to examine protective effects of vitamin E in cardiovascular disease. The findings of the studies reviewed do not provide evidence that vitamin E may reduce the risk of cancer; thus, at the present time, we do not recommend daily vitamin E intake for cancer prevention is not recommended.

CONCLUSIONS:

Available data do not support the supplementation of vitamin E in cardiovascular disease and cancer prevention.

• Authors: David Q Pham, Roda Plakogiannis
• Journal: The Annals of pharmacotherapy (Ann Pharmacother) Vol. 39 Issue 11 Pg. 1870-8 (Nov 2005) ISSN: 1060-0280 [Print] United States
• PMID: 16189282 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Review)

Chemical References

• Vitamins
• Vitamin E

Topics

• Cardiovascular Diseases (drug therapy)
• Dietary Supplements
• Humans
• Neoplasms (drug therapy, prevention & control)
• Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
• Treatment Outcome
• Vitamin E (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Vitamins (pharmacology, therapeutic use)