27 February 2015
A new review from Iran suggests that vitamin E supplementation can have significant anti-inflammatory effects.
The meta-analysis included data from 12 intervention studies, which investigated a potential link between supplemental vitamin E intakes and blood levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of inflammation, among a total of 495 participants who received vitamin E or placebo (1). The study results showed that participants receiving vitamin E had a significant reduction in CRP levels. This significant effect was maintained in all subgroups.
The researchers noted that inflammation is widely believed to be a contributing factor to the development of cardiovascular disease and chronic respiratory and neurological diseases. Elevated circulating concentrations of CRP, a protein produced by the liver that increases in circulation when there is inflammation throughout the body, have been linked to an increased risk of heart disease (2). Vitamin E has a well-established role in defending against oxidative stress and maintaining the normal functioning of the immune system. The ability of vitamin E to maintain normal immune system functioning provides it with anti-inflammatory characteristics, and several clinical trials have been performed which have tested the impact of the vitamin on circulating CRP levels.
1 June 2008
“Recently the results of a meta-analysis on antioxidant supplements generated some worrying headlines in the public press all over Europe: ‘Meta-analysis calls antioxidants into question,’ ‘Caution: Vitamins! ,’ ‘Supplements may shorten your life.’ Some months later, a balanced analysis of the study is appropriate.”
15 February 2013
Increased intakes of vitamin D during adolescence could help to reduce the risk of the onset of type 1 diabetes as an adult by half, suggests a new US study.
2 February 2010
Low levels of vitamin B6 may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, says a new study.
