Vitamin E supplements are safe and beneficial

The press has not been kind to vitamin supplements lately, especially vitamin E. Headlines generated from a study published in the March 16 Journal of the American Medical Association, have once again called into question the safety of vitamin E supplements.

I recognize that dietary supplements, including vitamin E, are for optimizing health and not curing disease. This study, however, used a study population of older patients who already had vascular disease, diabetes, and other strong risk factors. The majority were also taking a variety of medications for different health conditions. Concluding that a vitamin is useless or dangerous because it didn't cure a chronically ill population entirely misses the point of long-term nutritional supplementation.

Another important point to consider is that the study participants were taking high dosages of vitamin E as an individual supplement. Most research has supported our view that balance and synergy are extremely important for optimal benefit and safety from nutritional supplementation. This is especially important in populations exposed to high levels of oxidative stress, such as smokers and chronically ill patients.

Vitamin E has many potential long-term benefits for healthy people, including reducing harmful inflammation and preventing oxidative damage to body cells. The best way to take advantage of the benefits of vitamin E is to eat a varied, healthy diet and take a high-quality balanced supplement that includes a broad spectrum of antioxidants along with vitamin E.

For more information regarding the latest study and the benefits of vitamin E supplementation, see the following links:

http://www.crnusa.org/HOPETOO.html

http://www.crnusa.org/vitaminei ssafe.html