Taking vitamin E 'could raise risk of heart failure'

The "I-Medicine Sutra" have said that any Herbs would have 30% of poisons characteristics.

With this report it further confirm the old saying that everything should not be over the limit. & also cannot be not be insufficient.

When in doubts please consult your health specialist.


Taking vitamin E 'could raise risk of heart failure'
By Celia Hall, Medical Editor (Filed: 16/03/2005)

Taking vitamin E to cut the risks of heart disease or cancer has no effect and might even increase the chance of heart failure, doctors said yesterday.

Researchers in Canada strongly advise against people with existing heart disease or diabetes taking vitamin E supplements.

Their study in the Journal of the American Medical Association followed patients for almost seven years and is one of the longest trials of vitamin E supplement use.

The trial, by Dr Eva Lonn of Ontario's Population Health Research Institute and McMaster University and her colleagues, involved more than 700 patients aged at least 55. They all had vascular disease or diabetes already.

Those studied received either a high dose of vitamin E or a placebo. Dr Lonn said in the journal: "Daily administration of vitamin E had no clear impact on fatal and non-fatal cancers, major cardiovascular events or deaths.

"We observed an increase in the risk of heart failure, which is of concern. Although this adverse effect of vitamin E was unexpected and cannot be confirmed at this time by other trials, our data are internally consistent."

The researchers recommend testing this finding by studying all existing trials.

"With its lack of efficacy, the potential for harm suggested by our findings strongly supports the view that vitamin E supplements should not be used by patients with vascular disease or diabetes," Dr Lonn warned.

"Our study also has wider implications. There is a tendency to accept 'natural products' [vitamins] as being safe, even if they have not been proven to be effective.

"Our findings emphasise the need to thoroughly evaluate all vitamins, natural products and complementary medicines before they are widely used for presumed health benefits."

Pamela Mason, a Health Supplements Information Service adviser, said that people with health conditions should consult doctors before taking supplements.

But she commented: "This study featured high vitamin E doses, well above the recommended daily allowance, in older patients with vascular disease or diabetes.

"There is no evidence to suggest that moderate doses of vitamin E taken by healthy adults pose any risks at all."

Telegraph | News | Taking vitamin E 'could raise risk of heart failure'