Meta-analysis: low-dose intake of vitamin E combined with other vitamins or minerals may decrease all-cause mortality

J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo). 2014;60(3):194-205. doi: 10.3177/jnsv.60.194.

Abstract

It has been suggested that vitamin E alone or combined with other vitamins or minerals can prevent oxidative stress and slow oxidative injury-related diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and cancer. A comprehensive search of PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library was performed. Relative risk was used as an effect measure to compare the intervention and control groups. A total of 33 trials were included in the meta-analysis. Neither vitamin E intake alone (RR=1.01; 95% CI, 0.97 to 1.04; p=0.77) nor vitamin E intake combined with other agents (RR=0.97; 95% CI, 0.89 to 1.06; p=0.55) was correlated with all-cause mortality. Subgroup analyses revealed that low-dose vitamin E supplementation combined with other agents is associated with a statistically significant reduction in all-cause mortality (RR=0.92; 95% CI, 0.86 to 0.98; p=0.01), and vitamin E intake combined with other agents is associated with a statistically significant reduction in mortality rates among individuals without probable or confirmed diseases (RR=0.92; 95% CI, 0.86 to 0.99; p=0.02). Neither vitamin E intake alone nor combined with other agents is associated with a reduction in all-cause mortality. But a low dose (<400 IU/d) of vitamin E combined with other agents is correlated with a reduction in all-cause mortality, and vitamin E intake combined with other agents is correlated with a reduction in the mortality rate among individuals without probable or confirmed diseases.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis

MeSH terms

  • Cardiovascular Diseases / mortality
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / prevention & control
  • Databases, Factual
  • Dietary Supplements*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Humans
  • Mortality*
  • Neoplasms / mortality
  • Neoplasms / prevention & control
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Trace Elements / administration & dosage*
  • Vitamin E / administration & dosage*
  • Vitamins / administration & dosage*

Substances

  • Trace Elements
  • Vitamins
  • Vitamin E