A study published in the March 16th issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) discussing The Heart Outcomes Prevention Evaluation-The Ongoing Outcomes study (HOPE-TOO) contained unexpected findings related to vitamin E and heart health. The study found that patients over age 55—the average age of the study participants was over 70—with heart disease, stroke or diabetes, plus at least one other cardiovascular risk factor, who took vitamin E supplements, experienced an increased risk of heart failure. Researchers noted that this adverse effect of vitamin E was “unexpected and cannot be confirmed at this time by other trials” and “could be due to chance.” According to the Dietary Supplement Information Bureau (DSIB), leading health researchers around the country are challenging these results because they claim the study lacks the adequate research and controlled sampling audience to justify its conclusions. “There was not a definitive conclusion to this study, except to state that more studies were needed, so the claim is a bit of a leap at best,” said David Seckman, executive director and CEO of the National Nutritional Foods Association (NNFA), Washington, D.C. “I understand why the public may find this study concerning, but let’s not overreact to one study. Numerous scientific studies have attested to vitamin E’s great health benefits and safety, not only for cardiovascular health, but also for immune function, DNA repair and to help protect the body against the effects of free radicals.”

Annette Dickinson, PhD, president of the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), Washington, D.C., also urged caution in weighing the results of this newly released study, noting that the isolated findings apply only to an older group of patients with a history of heart disease, stroke or diabetes. Dr. Dickinson noted that the HOPE-TOO study involved people who already had heart disease or very strong risk factors, and who were taking numerous medications. "Since these results have not been seen in other studies, this very well may be a chance effect," she said. "There is certainly no evidence that these kinds of effects would occur in healthy populations." The CRN president said she agreed with the study’s authors that more research is needed, but noted there are a number of clinical trials now underway, including one involving more than 34,000 men that is evaluating whether vitamin E and selenium can reduce the risk of prostate cancer. “Those studies are continuing because the investigators and the sponsors are confident in the safety of vitamin E and also believe there is a strong likelihood of benefit," Dr. Dickinson said. "It would be a disservice to the public to discount the scientific evidence pointing to the benefits of vitamin E and to sensationalize the HOPE-TOO findings.”