Vitamin E supplements do not prevent heart attack, stroke, and cancer and may increase the risk of heart failure, according to a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Researchers from the United States, Canada, and 13 other countries tracked the health of more than 9,000 high-risk patients (at least 55 years old with vascular disease or diabetes mellitus) for 7 to almost 10 years. They compared those taking 400 international units of natural source vitamin E to those taking a placebo and found that while daily vitamin E did not have a clear impact on preventing cancer, heart attack, and stroke, there was a 40% increase in the risk of hospital admissions for heart failure among those taking the vitamin E.

These findings support the view that vitamin E supplements should not be used in patients with vascular disease or diabetes mellitus, the researchers conclude. "There is a tendency to accept ‘natural products’ (e.g., vitamins) as being safe, even if they have not been proven to be effective," they add. "However, our findings emphasize the need to thoroughly evaluate all vitamins, other natural products, and complementary medicines in appropriately designed trials before they are widely used for presumed health benefits." The Medical Society of the State of New York supports efforts to ensure that all "natural products" meet purity, quality and other standards.

This information is provided by the Medical Society of the State of New York. For more health-related information and referrals to physicians in your community, contact your local county medical society.