A new study in JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) found that long-term use of vitamin E increased the risk of prostate cancer. The study showed that a dose of 400 IU vitamin E was not likely to provide benefit for preventing cancer, and in fact found an increased risk for developing prostate cancer. However, when vitamin E was combined with selenium, the risk was reduced even more than with the placebo.
Perhaps this is evidence of the importance of nutrients working together in synergy as opposed to isolating one specific nutrient.
So, should men stop taking vitamin E? Well, this is the first study that has shown a significant link towards cancer. So, talk to your doctor or health care practitioner about what is best for you. If you continue to take vitamin E, choose one that encompasses all aspects of vitamin E as well as the mineral selenium.
Do not disregard the importance of vitamin E in our lives. Deficiencies can result in many issues such as digestive system problems where nutrients are poorly absorbed from the digestive tract. These problems include pancreatic disease, gallbladder disease, liver disease, and celiac disease. Vitamin E deficiency symptoms can also include neuropathy, muscle weakness, slow tissue repair and dry skin and hair. Diet is still the best way to get most nutrients, and luckily vitamin E is readily available in many foods.
A diet rich in foods that contain vitamin E has actually shown to be beneficial in reducing prostate risk. Sunflower seeds, brazil nuts, egg yolks and whole grains are all great dietary sources of vitamin E and can easily help meet your daily vitamin E requirement without supplementation.
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As we continue the series on Nutrients from A to Zinc, we now take a look at vitamin E and all its intricacies. Vitamin E may be one of the most complex of the fat soluble vitamins, as eight naturally occurring forms can be found, including four different tocopherols and four similar tocotrienols, each with alpha, beta, gamma and delta types. The most abundant, active and known form is alpha tocopherol, although each compound has its own unique strengths, biological activity and function.
