Q&A

Vitamin E not helpful, perhaps harmful

J Fam Pract. 2005 March;54(3):199-206
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  • CLINICAL QUESTION: In patients with or without heart disease, does vitamin E supplementation decrease mortality?
  • STUDY DESIGN: Meta-analysis (randomized controlled trials)
  • SETTING: Outpatient (any)
  • SYNOPSIS: The antioxidant property of vitamin E has led many to use it to prevent cardiovascular or cancer-related mortality. However, several studies and several previous meta-analyses have shown either no benefit or a slight increase in mortality with its use.
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BOTTOM LINE

Vitamin E supplementation does not decrease all-cause mortality in patients with or without pre-existing heart disease. At higher doses it can actually be harmful, although the deleterious effect is small (number needed to harm [NNH]=250). (level of evidence [LOE]=1b)

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