Vitamin E does not prevent cancer, heart attack or stroke

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

A large study shows that vitamin E does not prevent heart attacks, stroke or cancer among women.
There has long been interest in the potential health benefits of vitamin E. It was thought that the antioxidant properties of the vitamin might stop cell damage that can otherwise set the scene for cancer and heart disease.

A new study reported by Brigham and Women's Hospital reveals that vitamin E has not fulfilled this promised. The Women's Health Study - which has also studied the impact of aspirin on cancer risk - involved nearly 40,000 women. They took either 600 IU Vitamin E or placebo for around ten years. At the end of this time - long enough, surely, for benefit to emerge - there had been no significant impact on stroke, heart attack or overall cancer risk. Nor did vitamin E lower the risk of any of the most common female cancers - breast, lung or colon. Vitamin E may not work, but there are many other ways in which women can protect themselves from stroke, heart disease and cancer.

Source
Journal of the American Medical Association 6th July 2005