Key result
Vitamin E supplementation is linked to ~15% lower incidence of prostate cancer.
Why the study?
Vitamin E was suggested to have a role in the prevention of cardiovascular disease, but its efficacy needed evaluation through randomized controlled trials.
Meta-Analysis (n=167,025)
Yes
May support vitamin E for prostate cancer prevention (NNT 500); extends RCT meta-analysis data beyond cardiovascular outcomes.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the world. Vitamin E as an anti-oxidant vitamin, was suggested to have a role in the prevention of CVD. We did a meta-analysis, using the Cochrane Group Methodology, of all available randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the role of vitamin E in the prevention of CVD. Nine studies met inclusion criteria, including 80,645 participants. Vitamin E supplementation was not associated with a reduction in total mortality or total CVD mortality, but it was associated with a small statistically significant reduction in non-fatal myocardial infarction in patients with pre-existing coronary artery disease. Prophylactic use of vitamin E in doses ranging between 50-800 IU was not associated with any increase in the incidence of serious side effects.
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Alkhenizan et al. (2004) conducted a meta-analysis in Cancer (n=167,025). Vitamin E vs. Placebo or no intervention was evaluated on Incidence of prostate cancer (RR 0.85, 95% CI 0.74-0.96). Vitamin E supplementation was associated with a significant reduction in the incidence of prostate cancer (RR 0.85) with an absolute risk reduction of 0.2% and a number needed to treat of 500.
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