Vitamin E in the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease and Cancer

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Abstract
Free radicals can cause lipid peroxidation and DNA damage, contributing to the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer.1-5 Vitamin E has antioxidant properties, including inhibition of oxidation of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in plasma, leading to the hypothesis that it can prevent these chronic diseases.5 In some, but not all, basic research reports, vitamin E supplementation retarded atherogenesis.6 In descriptive data, investigators noted a strong inverse relation between plasma vitamin E concentrations and death rates from ischemic heart disease in men in several European countries.7 Additionally, several large cohort studies observed decreased CVD rates among individuals who self-selected for higher intakes of vitamin E through diet and/or supplements.8-10 By 1997, despite a lack of randomized trials, 44% of US cardiologists reported routine use of antioxidant supplements, primarily vitamin E, compared with 42% who routinely used aspirin for the primary prevention of CVD.11With regard to cancer, several observational studies, particularly case-control studies, also reported reduced rates of cancer among persons who self-selected for high antioxidant intakes.12