March 22, 2005: In our study of high dose vitamins and bladder cancer, Vitamin E was thought to be an important ingredient -- it is known to aid the immune response and serves as an antioxidant. In combination with high doses of vitamins A, B6, C plus zinc we saw a 40 percent reduction in bladder tumor recurrence. Vitamin E and selenium have also been associated with a reduction in the risk of prostate cancer, and had been thought to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. Now, two new studies raise concern about Vitamin E and hope for new statin drugs.
Now, the HOPE Trial, a large randomized study of 400 IU of vitamin E published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found no reduction in heart disease or cancer, and a 13 percent increase in the risk of heart failure, from 578 cases without vitamin E to 641 cases with it.
Should vitamin E be avoided? We don't know, because other studies have suggested a benefit in prostate cancer, breast cancer, Alzheimer's, cataracts and other diseases. The HOPE study had over 7,000 patients, but the Nurses Health Study had over 83,000 patients, was confirmed by a second study of 39,000 patients, and found a 40% reduction in heart attacks.
One possible explanation for the discrepancy is that the health professionals in the Nurses Health Study took other vitamins, rather than just vitamin E. My guess is that very high doses (above 400 IU) should probably be avoided until further information is available, and taking only vitamin E is probably not wise.
In another study, investigators at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Portland, Oregon found that patients who took the cholesterol lowering statin drugs had a lower risk of prostate cancer. Doctors at the Childrens hospital in Boston now report that these statin drugs can reduce the growth of prostate cancer in animals. Interestingly, two of the three genes recently associated with long life regulate lipids in a manner similar to the effect of statin drugs, and their effect in preventing heart attacks now appears clear.
The link between our high fat Western diet and prostate cancer is well known. Diets high in fat increase the risk of prostate cancer as well as coronary artery disease. We observed many years ago at the VA Hospital in San Antonio, Texas, that patients with prostate cancer had a higher uric acid than patients without prostate cancer. Uric acid is elevated with high meat intake.
We should try to reduce the fat and red meat in our diet and increase fruits and vegetables, but help may be available in a pill as well. Perhaps we should consider taking a statin drug with vitamin E to keep our prostates, arteries, and minds healthy.
Created: 3/22/2005