10/19/2007 – Supplements of vitamin E may counteract complications in type-2 diabetics linked to an increased risk of heart disease, says a new study from Italy.

Daily vitamin E supplements (500 International Units) were found to decrease levels of a protein associated with higher risk of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and ultimately cardiovascular disease in this study with 37 type-2 diabetics, published in the journal Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases.

“Vitamin E might therefore be effective in preventing early endothelial damage in type 2 diabetes mellitus, possibly representing a new tool for endothelial protection,” wrote lead author Arianna Vignini from Polytechnic University of Marche in Ancona.

In addition, the production of nitric oxide (NO) – a molecule key for better blood flow – increased by about 50 per cent after ten weeks of vitamin E supplementation.

Nitric oxide (NO) is a molecule used by the endothelium (cells lining the surface of blood vessels) to signal surrounding muscle to relax, leading to a reduction in blood pressure, reduced blood clotting and protection against myocardial infarction and strokes.

Despite the positive results and implications for type-2 diabetics, the authors sounded a note of caution, stating that no control arm with a placebo was used, and the study was not double-blind and randomised.

In terms of vitamin E supplements and heart health for the wider population, a recent study reported that a higher dose – 3200 International Units – of vitamin E is needed to reduce oxidative stress in individuals at risk for cardiovascular disease, and this may be why previous trials using lower doses failed to show any benefits for the vitamin (Free Radical Biology and Medicine, doi: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2007.06.019).

A number of epidemiological and animal studies have reported that antioxidants like vitamin E, vitamin C and beta-carotene might offer some protection against heart attack in individuals at risk.

There are eight forms of vitamin E: four tocopherols (alpha, beta, gamma, delta) and four tocotrienols (alpha, beta, gamma, delta). Alpha-tocopherol (alpha-Toc) is the main source found in supplements and in the European diet, while gamma-tocopherol (gamma-Toc) is the most common form in the American diet.

Source: Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases (Elsevier)
Published on-line ahead of print, doi:10.1016/j.numecd.2007.01.002
“A study on the action of vitamin E supplementation on plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 and platelet nitric oxide production in type 2 diabetic patients”
Authors: A. Vignini, L. Nanetti, C. Moroni, R. Testa, C. Sirolla, M. Marra, S. Manfrini, D. Fumelli, F. Marcheselli, L. Mazzanti and R.A. Rabini

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10/23/2007

Taking vitamin D supplements may lower the risk of death from any cause, according to a meta-analysis in the Sept. 10 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine (2007;167(16):1730-37). After reviewing 18 randomized controlled trials of vitamin D supplementation, with a total of 57,311 participants, the researchers found 4,777 of the participants died during the average follow-up period of 5.7 years. Those taking vitamin D had a 7-percent lower risk of death than those who did not, and their blood levels of vitamin D were 1.4- to 5.2- fold higher than those people not taking supplements. The authors said it was unclear how supplementation could decrease all-cause mortality, though they suggested it may inhibit carcinogenesis or boost immune function.

A related Archives editorial (2007;167(16) :1709-10) by Edward Giovannucci, M.D., Harvard School of Public Health, said the meta-analysis increases the evidence base concerning vitamin D’s benefits to human health. “Research on vitamin D should be continued to clearly elucidate the specific benefits and optimal intakes and levels of vitamin D,” Giovannucci wrote. “Nonetheless, based on the total body of evidence of health conditions associated with vitamin D deficiency, abetted with the results from this meta-analysis, a more proactive at titude to identify, prevent and treat vitamin D deficiency should be part of standard medical care. From a broader public health perspective, the roles of moderate sun exposure, food fortification with vitamin D and higher-dose vitamin D supplements for adults need to be debated.”

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