What About Vitamin E Supplements?

Vitamin E is fat-soluble and an antioxidant. Antioxidants protect cells from the effects of free radicals, which are potentially damaging byproducts of your metabolism.

Although many researchers have believed that vitamin E might help reduce the risk for cancer and heart disease, recent studies suggest that large doses of vitamin E have no proven clinical benefits. They may even be harmful.

The dietary reference intake for vitamin E is only 22.5 IU, or 15 mg, a day for most adults. Foods that contain vitamin E are vegetable oils; nuts; green, leafy vegetables; and fortified cereals.

More than 11 percent of Americans take at least 400 IU, or 265 mg, of a vitamin E supplement daily, according to researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Taking that much or more vitamin E actually may increase your risk for conditions such as cancer or heart disease, according to some recent studies.

In one study, the risk of heart failure increased by 13 percent in study participants who had diabetes mellitus or vascular disease. These people had taken a daily vitamin E supplement of about 400 IU for an average of seven years.

What's your best course of action? Talk with your doctor about vitamin E supplements -- and any others -- before you start taking them. He or she can tell you how a supplement may affect your health. Vitamin E can increase bleeding in some people, so, a vitamin E supplement may be dangerous for someone on an anticoagulant. It is especially important for people with diabetes or vascular disease to check in with their doctors ahead of time, too. But, this advice isn't just for those with chronic conditions; it's a good idea for everyone.