Vitamin E linked to lung cancer
Updated on 29 February 2008
A second popular vitamin supplement has been found to heighten the likelihood of developing lung cancer, it has been disclosed.
Findings from a study of more than 77,000 people showed that taking moderate to high doses of vitamin E led to a "slight but significant" increase in risk.
Previous research had already linked beta-carotene supplements with a higher risk of lung cancer in smokers. The vitamin E trend was most prominent among smokers, but not confined to them.
The researchers also found no evidence that multivitamins or vitamin C reduced the risk of lung cancer.
A team led by Dr Christopher Slatore, from the University of Washington in Seattle, in the United States, monitored 77,126 men and women between the ages of 50 and 76 for four years, recording how many of them developed lung cancer.
Of the original participants enrolled into the Vitamins and Lifestyle (Vital) study, 521 were diagnosed with the disease - the expected rate for a low-risk group of patients.
The scientists found unsurprising links between lung cancer risk and smoking, family history, and age. But in addition to these, they uncovered the unexpected association with vitamin E.
The increased risk was equivalent to 7% rise for every extra 100 milligrams of vitamin E taken per day over 10 years. This translated into a 28% increased risk of lung cancer for someone regularly taking a high 400 milligram dose of the vitamin.
"In contrast to the often assumed benefits or at least lack of harm, supplemental vitamin E was associated with a small increased risk of lung cancer," said Dr Slatore.
The findings appear in the March issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, published by the American Thoracic Society.
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