Vitamin E : Health Benefits, Part 3

by MedlinePlus

(Page 3 of 5)

Seizure disorder

Vitamin E has been evaluated as an addition to other drugs used to prevent seizures, particularly in refractory epilepsy. This evidence is not conclusive enough to make a clear recommendation. The management of seizure disorder should be under medical supervision.

Steatohepatitis

There is preliminary evidence suggesting possible benefits in the management of steatohepatitis in children, although further evidence is necessary before a clear conclusion can be drawn.

Supplementation in preterm and very low birthweight infants

Premature infants are at risk of vitamin E deficiency, particularly when they are born with very low birth weight (birth weights less than 1500 grams, or 3 pounds, 4 ounces). There are numerous studies of vitamin E given to premature infants to try to prevent potentially serious complications such as intraventricular hemorrhage (bleeding into the brain), retinopathy (eye damage), or death. The quality of published research is variable, and is not clearly conclusive. With intravenous dosing of vitamin E, the risk of sepsis (life-threatening blood infection) and bleeding into the brain appears to be worse (particularly with high-dose vitamin E). With oral dosing, the risk of bleeding into the brain appears to be decreased. Some research suggests that blood levels of tocopherol greater than 3.5 mg/dl are associated with a reduced risk of severe retinopathy, but an increased risk of sepsis. Therefore, the current scientific evidence does not support the routine use of intravenous vitamin E at high doses, or supplementation with a goal of serum tocopherol levels greater than 3.5 mg/dl. Premature infants should be under strict medical supervision, and decisions regarding vitamin supplementation should be made with the infant's physician.

Tardive dyskinesia

Vitamin E has been studied in the management of tardive dyskinesia, and has been reported to significantly improve abnormal involuntary movements, although the results of exiting studies are not conclusive enough to form a clear recommendation. Vitamin E may be more effective in higher doses and in people who have had tardive dyskinesia for less than five years.

Asthma

There is preliminary evidence that vitamin E does not provide benefits in individuals with asthma.

Cancer prevention (general)

Recent evidence from a well-conducted randomized controlled trial (the Women's Health Study) reports no reduction in the development of cancer with the use of 600 IU of natural-source vitamin E taken daily. Previously, there have been laboratory, population, and other human trials examining whether vitamin E is beneficial in preventing various types of cancer, including prostate, colon, or stomach cancer. Results of these prior studies have been variable. At this time, based on the best available scientific evidence, and recent concerns about the safety of vitamin E supplementation, vitamin E cannot be recommended for this use.

Heart disease prevention

Numerous studies of vitamin E oral supplementation have suggested no benefits in the prevention of cardiovascular disease, and there is recent evidence to suggest that regular use of high-dose vitamin E (400 IU/day or greater) increases the risk of death (from "all causes") by a small amount (1). These conclusions have been criticized by some experts because they are based on re-calculations (meta-analyses) of the results of prior smaller studies which were of mixed quality, variable results, and often in patients with chronic illnesses. Recently, the Women's Health Study reported a 24% reduction in cardiovascular deaths in women taking 600 IU of vitamin E daily (with 10 year follow-up), but no change in total death rate or number of heart attacks or strokes. Based on the balance of available scientific evidence, and in light of recent safety concerns, chronic use of vitamin E cannot be recommended for this purpose, and high-dose vitamin E should be avoided.

Retinitis pigmentosa

Oral vitamin E does not appear to slow visual decline in people with retinitis pigmentosa and may be associated with more rapid loss of visual acuity, although the validity of this finding has been questioned. Until further evidence is available, vitamin E may not be advisable in this condition. Therapy decisions should be under medical supervision.

Scar prevention

Application of topical vitamin E does not appear to reduce surgical wound scarring. Because of a risk of contact dermatitis, some authors have recommended against the use of this therapy.

Stroke

Recent evidence from the Women's Health Study suggests that regular vitamin E supplementation with 600 IU daily does not reduce the risk of stroke. Prior evidence was indeterminate for stroke prevention or stroke recovery. At this time, based on the best available scientific evidence and recent safety concerns, vitamin E cannot be recommended for this use.

Uses based on tradition or theory

The below uses are based on tradition or scientific theories. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider.

Abortifacient, acne, aging skin, air pollution protection, allergies, amiodarone pulmonary toxicity prevention, bee stings, benign prostatic hypertrophy, beta-thalassemia, bronchopulmonary dysplasia in premature infants, bursitis, cardiomyopathy, chemotherapy extravasation, chronic cystic mastitis, chronic hepatitis B, chronic progressive hereditary chorea, congestive heart failure, Crohn's disease, cystic fibrosis, dermatitis, diaper rash, doxorubicin hair loss prevention, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, dyspraxia, energy enhancement, frostbite, gastric ulcer, gastroesophageal cancer prevention, granuloma annulare (topical vitamin E)(389), hair loss, heart attack, heart transplant rejection prevention, hereditary spherocytosis, Huntington's disease, hypertension, impotence, inflammatory skin disorders, leg cramps, liver spots, lung cancer prevention, male fertility, menopausal symptoms, menstrual disorders, miscarriage, mucositis, muscle strength, myotonic dystrophy, neuromuscular disorders, nitrate tolerance, oral leukoplakia, labor pain, osteoarthritis, pancreatic cancer prevention, peptic ulcers, Peyronie's disease, physical endurance, poor posture, porphyria, post-angioplasty restenosis prevention, pre-eclampsia prevention, preventing aging, radiation-induced fibrosis, reperfusion injury protection during heart surgery, restless leg syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, sickle cell disease, skeletal muscle damage, skin disorders, sperm motility, sunburn, thrombophlebitis, uveitis.

About the Author

medlineplus.gov
MedlinePlus will direct you to information to help answer health questions. MedlinePlus brings together authoritative information from NLM, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations. MedlinePlus also has extensive information about drugs, an illustrated medical encyclopedia, interactive patient tutorials, and latest health news.