Document Detail


How safe is vitamin E supplementation?
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  18756398     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
The safety of large doses of vitamin E went virtually unquestioned until the early 2000s, when several studies were published showing that consumption of vitamin E from dietary supplements increased mortality, as well as the risk of gastrointestinal cancer and heart failure. These studies prompted numerous letters to the editors of medical journals and widespread coverage in the media. Both the medical community and the general public became confused and concerned about the use of vitamin E supplements. The purpose of this article is to review the medical literature and to explain these unusual findings. First we provide an overview of the earlier literature on vitamin E. Second, we provide a critical assessment of three meta-analyses that were neutral or negative toward vitamin E supplementation. Third, we review the limitations of meta-analyses in general. Fourth, we assess the individual studies that comprised one of the three meta-analyses. Since all three meta-analyses used many of the same studies, the individual critique should further the understanding of the limitations of these meta-analyses, and the meta-analysis approach in general. Lastly, we offer some guidance for healthcare professionals to give to the general, healthy public and those with chronic conditions who are no doubt left puzzled as to what to do regarding vitamin E supplementation.
Authors:
Stacey J Bell; Gregory T Grochoski
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Review    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Critical reviews in food science and nutrition     Volume:  48     ISSN:  1549-7852     ISO Abbreviation:  Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr     Publication Date:  2008 Sep 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2008-08-29     Completed Date:  2008-10-22     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  8914818     Medline TA:  Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  760-74     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Research and Development, Nutritional Sciences IdeaSphere Inc., SE Grand Rapids, MI 49546, USA. staceyjbell@yahoo.com
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Cardiovascular Diseases / mortality,  prevention & control
Dietary Supplements / adverse effects*
Eye Diseases / mortality
Humans
Meta-Analysis as Topic
Neoplasms / prevention & control
Nervous System Diseases / mortality,  prevention & control
Practice Guidelines as Topic
Respiratory Tract Infections / prevention & control
Vitamin E / administration & dosage*,  adverse effects*,  pharmacology
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
1406-18-4/Vitamin E

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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