Vitamin E Could Increase Heart Failure Risk

(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- A new study shows patients who took vitamin E supplements for about seven years did not have a reduced risk of cancer or cardiovascular events, but instead had an increased risk of heart failure in some cases.

Data suggests vitamin E supplementation may prevent cancer and cardiovascular events, but clinical trials have not confirmed this. In this new study, researchers from the Population Health Research Institute and McMaster University as well as Hamilton Health Sciences Corporation in Canada studied more than 4,000 patients with vascular disease or diabetes, 738 of whom agreed to a follow-up. Follow-up typically lasted for about seven years. Patients received a daily dose of natural vitamin E or placebo.

Researchers found this dosage had no clear impact on fatal and nonfatal cancers, major cardiovascular events, or deaths. They say they are concerned by the increase in the risk of heart failure.

Researchers conclude, "The potential for harm suggested by our findings strongly supports the view that vitamin E supplements should not be used in patients with vascular disease or diabetes mellitus. Our study also has wider implications. There is a tendency to accept natural products as being safe, even if they have not been proven to be effective. However, our findings emphasize the need to thoroughly evaluate all vitamins, other natural products, and complementary medicines in appropriately designed trials before they are widely used for presumed health benefits."

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SOURCE: The Journal of the American Medical Association, 2005;293:1338-1347