Vitamin E supplements may be dangerous!

Over 200 IU/day of vitamin E may PREVENT 21 ischemic strokes for every 10,000 patients treated for at least one year....
Mahitab Hany, BS Pharm, PGDipClinPharm, PGDipClinNutrition

Patients are asking THE PHARMACIST if vitamin E supplements are dangerous. Many people take vitamin E in hopes of preventing cardiovascular disease, dementia, etc. Vitamin E is a lipid soluble antioxidant best known for its ability to inhibit lipid peroxidation by scavenging reactive oxygen species and to preserve cell membranes. Now an analysis suggests that HIGH-dose vitamin E supplements might INCREASE the risk of fatal strokes.

Over 200 IU/day of vitamin E may PREVENT 21 ischemic strokes for every 10,000 patients treated for at least one year, but it may CAUSE 8 hemorrhagic strokes, which are more deadly (In meta-analysis, vitamin E increased the risk for haemorrhagic stroke by 22% and reduced the risk of ischaemic stroke by 10%).

NPS-adv

Vitamin E inhibits platelet clotting especially with chronic, high doses. Tell patients they can continue to take a multivitamin, BUT to stop taking 200 IU/day or more of vitamin E if there's no medical need for it. Explain to patients the type of vitamin E doesn't matter, both natural and synthetic forms increase stroke risk at high doses.

References

  1. Schürks M, Glynn RJ, Rist PM, Tzourio C, Kurth T. Effects of vitamin E on stroke subtypes: meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. BMJ. 2010 Nov 4;341:c5702.
  2. Sesso HD, Buring JE, et al. Vitamins E and C in the prevention of cardiovascular disease in men: the Physicians' Health Study II randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2008 Nov 12;300(18):2123-33.
  3. Lee IM, Cook NR, Gaziano JM, et al. Vitamin E in the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease and cancer: the Women's Health Study: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2005 Jul 6;294(1):56-65.