ISSUE 1379
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Revised 1/25/12: The first paragraph on vitamin E has been revised.
Many patients ask their healthcare providers whether they should take vitamins. Since the last Medical Letter article on this subject,1 more data have become available on the benefits and risks of taking vitamins.
VITAMIN E — Vitamin E in food or supplements acts as an antioxidant, but under some conditions may have a pro-oxidant effect.2 High doses of vitamin E may interfere with vitamin K metabolism and platelet function.
Effect on Mortality – A meta-analysis of 26 clinical trials including 105,065 subjects found that supplementation with vitamin E alone or in combination with beta-carotene and vitamin A was associated with an increased risk of death.3
Pregnancy – A meta-analysis of 9 trials involving 19,810 pregnant women found that vitamin E and
... more1. Vitamin Supplements. Med Lett Drugs Ther 2005; 47:57.
12. GS Omenn et al. Effects of a combination of beta carotene and vitamin A on lung cancer and cardiovascular disease. N Engl J Med 1996; 334:1150.
14. AM Mondul et al. Serum retinol and risk of prostate cancer. Am J Epidemiol 2011; 173:813.
15. In brief: calcium and vitamin D supplements. Med Lett Drugs Ther 2006; 48:61.
16. Drugs for postmenopausal osteoporosis. Treat Guidel Med Lett 2011; 9:67.
22. In brief: Vitamin B12 nasal spray. Med Lett Drugs Ther 2005; 47:64.
23. Folic acid supplementation to prevent neural tube defects. Med Lett Drugs Ther 2004; 46:17.
31. P Shankar et al. Micronutrient deficiencies after bariatric surgery. Nutrition 2010; 26:1031.
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