Use of vitamin E associated with increased risk of prostate cancer

[The Straight Story]

Use of vitamin E associated with increased risk of prostate cancer

Men who took 400 international units (I.U.) of vitamin E daily had more prostate cancers compared to men who took a placebo, according to an updated review of data from the Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT). The findings showed that, per 1,000 men, there were 76 prostate cancers in men who took only vitamin E supplements, vs. 65 in men on placebo over a seven-year period, or 11 more cases of prostate cancer per 1,000 men. This represents a 17 percent increase in prostate cancers relative to those who took a placebo. This difference was statistically significant and therefore is not likely due to chance. The results of this update appeared Oct. 12, 2011, in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

SWOG, an international network of research institutions, carried out SELECT at more than 400 clinical sites in the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada. SELECT was funded by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and other institutes that comprise the National Institutes of Health.

"Based on these results and the results of large cardiovascular studies using vitamin E, there is no reason for men in the general population to take the dose of vitamin E used in SELECT as the supplements have shown no benefit and some very real risks," said Eric Klein, M.D., a study co-chair for SELECT, and a physician at the Cleveland Clinic. "For now, men who were part of SELECT should continue to see their primary care physician or urologist and bring these results to their attention for further consideration."

The SELECT study began in 2001 and included over 35,000 men. It was started because earlier research had suggested that selenium or vitamin E might reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer. However, based on an independent safety monitoring review in autumn 2008, participants were told to stop taking their study supplements because it had become clear that the trial would never produce the 25 percent reduction in prostate cancer the study was designed to show with the use of these supplements. In 2010, the study sites were closed and over half of the participants consented to have their health monitored via mail questionnaires. Now, because of this latest finding, researchers are encouraging all participants to consider taking part in long-term study follow-up so investigators can continue to track outcomes.

http://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-10-national-vitamin-supplement-prostate-cancer.html

[still_one]

1. and was excess fat also taken into consideration, because there has been also a correlation between

prostrate cancers and fat

What I am saying could there be other factors? As people age, many also put on more weight

does that have a factor in these studies?

I would also like to know the reason they believe Vitamin E increases the risk, and why some of those who took Vitamin E did NOT get it?

[KurtNYC]

2. supplements are mostly quackery

spend the money on real food with bio-available nutrients

BBC running a story that supplements correlate with decreased lifespan in women:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-15238610

[RebelOne]

4. Vitamin E supplements are not quackery.

I used to have cramps in my legs at night and someone suggested taking Vitamin E. I did that and no more leg cramps.

[KurtNYC]

7. I would try spinach

no risk of side effects

[tabatha]

6. I would disagree with that.

The right vitamins in the right amounts can be useful in some disease cases.
That is why marmite/vegemite/bovril was created.

But, these conditions usually occur because of poor food.
In today's markets, many foods are not as high in nutrition as they should be.

[tabatha]

3. Vitamin E supplements are dicey.

Vitamin E Increases Lung Cancer Risk In Smokers

http://healthhubs.net/cancer/vitamin-e-increases-lung-cancer-risk-in-smokers/

One has to know what to take and how much.

[Liberal_in_LA]

5. and vitamins recently found to be harmful to older women! The world is upside down