Increased vitamin E intakes reduce inflammation

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. Saboori S. et al. Effect of vitamin E supplementation on serum C-reactive protein level: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Eur J Clin Nutr. Published online February 2015.
   2. Ridker P. M. C-Reactive Protein – A Simple Test to Help Predict Risk of Heart Attack and Stroke. Circulation. 2003; 108:e81–e85.