[Shadow_Group] Fw: vitamin E is safe

[shadowgroup-l at lists.resist.ca]

November 12, 2004

You may have read the ridiculous headlines from the last day or so stating that vitamin E supplementation does more harm than good. A meta-analysis published online in the Annals of Internal Medicine reviewed the results of 19 clinical trials on vitamin E. 


Researchers reported that taking high doses of vitamin E (greater than 400 IU per day) increased risk of all-cause mortality and concluded that high dose vitamin E supplements should be avoided. 


Now, let's take a look at what you didn't read and why this recommendation is absurd.


First, the participants in this review of studies were already suffering from a wide range of medical conditions from heart disease and cancer to kidney disease and Alzheimer's. As the researches themselves admitted, it's impossible to ascertain if results would be the same in a healthy population. 


Second, the statistical analysis is suspect. Only nine of the 19 studies focused solely on vitamin E, while 10 looked at vitamin E combined with other vitamins and minerals. Thus, any outcome can hardly be conclusive. 


Therefore, headlines screaming "Vitamin E may raise death rates" or "Vitamin E might make heart disease worse" are irresponsible, unfounded, and an unnecessary scare tactic. 


The benefits of vitamin E supplementation are well documented. I emphatically believe that not only is the use of vitamin E safe, but highly therapeutic. Thousands of studies support vitamin E's role in cardiovascular health, immune function, and a number of other conditions.


The Institute of Medicine and the federal government agree that vitamin E is safe at levels as high as 1600 IU per day for natural vitamin E (the form I recommend you use) or 1000 IU of synthetic vitamin E, the form most likely used in this study. According to the Council for Responsible Nutrition, "This meta-analysis provides no convincing evidence to the contrary." 


The publicity surrounding this story simply confirms the mainstream media's inherent bias against nutritional supplements. 


For the complete text of the Annals of Internal Medicine study, go to http://www.annals.org/<http://doctorspreferred.com/Apps/DCS/mcp?r=70044ln72EM01200041eZq044ln70mQ4ETQ4AC>. 


Sincerely,


Julian Whitaker, M.D.


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