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According to the Laureate Medical Group in Atlanta, some doctors
have been recommending Vitamin E for heart health, based on observational
studies showing that people who took Vitamin E had fewer negative
cardiovascular events. New studies have shown that Vitamin
E in doses above 200 international units per day may be detrimental
to your health. The standard dose of Vitamin E in capsule
form is 400 international units; according to a recent compilation
of 19 studies regarding its safety, researchers found that when
this supplement was taken in doses above 200 international units
per day, the mortality risk was 10% higher than
it was in people not taking Vitamin E. At doses of 2000 international
units per day, death rates increased by more than 20%. We now know
that Vitamin E supplements make statins like Lipitor, Zocor, Pravachol,
Crestor, Lovostatin and Lescol (cholesterol-lowering drugs that
many heart patients take) less effective. This recent study
discourages Vitamin E for the prevention of cardiovascular disease.
Foods containing vitamin E are generally healthy for us,
but the mega-doses in supplements are simply too much. Additionally,
Vitamin E is taken for a variety of other reasons, including pain
relief from fibrocystic breast disease and for the possible prevention
of Alzheimer's disease. If you are taking Vitamin E for fibrocystic
breast disease or Alzheimer’s prevention you may continue
to take it, however we suggest you discuss this with your doctor
at your next visit.
To determine if Vitamin E is sill appropriate for you,
please feel free to discuss this with your physician at your next
visit.
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