Researchers examined 850 adults with an average age of 69, including 350 who had previously suffered a stroke. The group included Hispanics, African-Americans and Caucasians. Forty-six percent of the participants took vitamin supplements. The amount of vitamin E consumed by stroke participants before their strokes was compared to consumption by healthy participants. Those who never had a stroke were twice as likely as the stroke victims to take vitamin supplements.
Vitamin E is found in vegetable oils and palm oils.
But according to the researchers, most people they studied did not have enough of the vitamin in their diets and required supplements. Too much vitamin E can cause nausea, diarrhea and flatulence. Researchers said there are other things people can do to lower their risk of stroke. Doctors recommend stopping smoking, limiting alcohol intake, lowering cholesterol and saturated fat intake and increasing physical activity to reduce the risk of stroke. If prevention attempts don't work, doctors say the best way to survive a stroke is to know the warning signs and seek medical attention early.