VITAMIN E AND INCIDENCE OF PROSTATE CANCER

[rajeentheran]

VITAMIN E AND INCIDENCE OF PROSTATE CANCER

Referring to my earlier posting of the extended follow-up of the SELECT trial :

Longer follow-up showed those taking Vit E supplement had significantly increased in risk of prostate cancer - 17% increase in prostate cancer incidence

MY OWN OPINIONS:
1. Daily vitamin E supplements increased men's risk of prostate cancer as seen by the extended follow-up of the SELECT trial
2. Vitamin supplements are ONLY known to prevent disease in people who have VITAMIN DEFICIENCIES; not normal people with adequate body vitamin levels. There was NO extra benefit in people who already get enough vitamins through their diet.
3. Vitamin E ALSO has NOT BEEN SHOWN to protect against HEART DISEASE, COLON CANCER OR LUNG CANCER.
4. On the other hand, there is a growing body of evidence suggesting supplements may be harmful in high doses.
5. The public should not listen to the publicity by Pharmaceutical over-the counter vitamins and anti-oxidants; and should consult their doctors accordingly.

“There is a need for consumers to be skeptical of health claims for unregulated over-the-counter products in the absence of strong evidence of benefit demonstrated in clinical trials"

Vitamins have been shown to be of benefit ONLY for:
1.       Pregnancy – hematinics and folic acid
2.       Cardiac disease – omega fatty acids
3.       Some group of people – Calcium and Vit D

This is discussed in the recent paper on Dietary Supplements and Mortality rates in the Iowa Women’s Health Study in the recent publication of Archives of Internal Medicine which supplements the extended SELECT study results

Rgds

Dr Rajeentheran Suntheralingam
Source: VITAMIN E AND INCIDENCE OF PROSTATE CANCER