The antioxidants beta-carotene (a form of Vitamin A) and Vitamin E have made a lot of headlines lately. That's because these nutrients have been found to actually reduce cell damage (oxidation), with some very dramatic results. Here's the lowdown on some of the results from the latest research.
- In a study of 87,245 female nurses 34 to 59 years of age, those who took vitamin E supplements for more than two years had a risk of heart disease that was 34 percent lower than that of women who did not take vitamin E. Women who took the supplements for less than two years showed no apparent benefit.
- A study of 39,910 male health professionals between 40 and 75 years of age found that the men who took at least 100 IU (international units) of vitamin E per day for at least two years had a risk of developing heart disease that was 37 percent lower than the men who did not take a supplement. Beta-carotene, the study found, lowered the risk of heart disease by 70 percent among smokers and by 40 percent among former smokers.
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A European study found that high levels of beta carotene in the body were associated with a lower risk of heart attacks. The study authors also concurred with the results of earlier studies linking supplemental vitamin E with lowered heart disease risk. The researchers advocated eating more foods rich in beta-carotene, such as carrots and green, leafy vegetables.
- In contrast, a Finnish study found no decrease in heart disease or cancer risk from supplemental vitamin E and a slight increase in cancer risk from supplemental beta-carotene in smokers, thus highlighting the need for more research before solid supplement recommendations can be made.
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