Long Term Vitamin E Supplementation Not Beneficial For Vascular Disease Or Diabetes Mellitus

Category: Conditions of the Circulatory System

It has been suggested that Vitamin E may help prevent cancer and cardiovascular disease. Experimental and epidemiological studies have confirmed that Vitamin E's antioxidant power can prevent damage to the cardiovascular system and cell metabolism caused by free radicals, suspected culprits in both cancer and cardiovascular disease.

The Initial Heart Outcomes Prevention Trial (HOPE) was aimed at determining the effects that long term Vitamin E supplementation would have in patients with known vascular disease and diabetes. The trial hoped to find evidence that Vitamin E supplementation would reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer.

The Trial was conducted internationally and involved over 9000 patients over a period of 10 years. The trial found that long-term supplementation did not protect against cancer or cardiovascular disease in people who have known vascular disease and diabetes mellitus. In fact the study found that supplementation with Vitamin E may increase the risk for heart failure in people with diabetes mellitus and vascular disease.

The study did not measure the effects of long terms supplementation in the general population with respect to prevention of cardiovascular disease and cancer.

Posted by Kristopher Foster on November 22, 2008 10:00 AM