Contrary to popular belief, vitamin E supplements appear to provide little benefit to health and may even cause harm, according to researchers. They believe vitamin E and most other nutrients should be consumed via a healthy, balanced diet. Mosca presented the findings at the 39th Annual Conference on Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology and Prevention held this week in Orlando, Florida.
Cardiovascular disease is associated with a gradual deposition of fatty plaques on artery walls.
Specific nutrients, called antioxidants, are thought to inhibit this oxidative process and protect against heart disease. They then compared rates of LDL oxidation in blood samples taken from each of the subjects. The investigators found that women whose vitamin E source was dietary displayed significant reductions in LDL oxidation. However, women who took in vitamin E via supplements actually increased their oxidation levels. She notes that the American Heart Association has always recommended that Americans obtain their nutrients from foods, not supplements.