Viatmin E and the risk of Prostate CancerThe initial report of the SELECT Trial in JAMA 2008 found no reduction in risk of prostate cancer with either selenium or vitamin E supplements but a statistically NON-significant increase in prostate cancer risk with vitamin E. In view of this, the SELECT trial was prematurely halted in 2008, as there was no benefit with Vit E or Selenium supplementation. There was a non-significant increased risk of prostate cancer in men taking vitamin E, but surveillance of the study continued.
BUT - just released 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
Take home message (MY OWN OPINION AND CONCLUSIONS):
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".
Attached is the link to the JAMA article published
http://jama.ama-assn.org/content/306/14/1549.abstractRgds and Best Wishes,
Dr Rajeentheran Suntheralingam
Source:
Viatmin E and the risk of Prostate Cancer
