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Medical Edge Newspaper Column from Mayo Clinic
DON’T GO OVERBOARD ON VITAMIN E SUPPLEMENTS
DEAR MAYO CLINIC: Does Mayo support or discourage the use of vitamin E supplements? I am 68 years old and have been taking 400 IU daily for more than five years. —
Westlake Village, Calif.
ANSWER: In the past, vitamin E has been touted for its antioxidant properties — which means it helps counter oxidation, a process that damages cells and can accelerate aging. Vitamin E has been said to prevent or treat numerous health conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, cataracts, diabetes and even Alzheimer’s disease.
Other than treatment of vitamin E deficiency, no evidence shows conclusively that taking more than the recommended daily allowance of vitamin E offers any medical benefits. Recent research actually has raised concerns that taking high doses of vitamin E supplements can be harmful.
Researchers looked at 19 studies conducted between 1993 and 2004, involving more than 136,000 people. Nine studies looked at vitamin E alone and 10 looked at vitamin E in combination with other vitamin supplements. All compared vitamin use against a placebo (sugar pill). People who took more than 400 IU of vitamin E a day died at a higher rate than people who didn’t take supplements. This was an unexpected finding that has generated a great deal of controversy.
Vitamin E is found in many foods, such as vegetable oils, nuts and whole grains. Although vitamin E occurs naturally in eight forms, most supplements contain only one form of the vitamin (alpha-tocopherol). Research suggests that the other forms of vitamin E may be the ones that provide the beneficial effects. There is even some research that suggests alpha-tocopherol may decrease the benefit of these other forms.
Basically, it’s not clear which form or forms of vitamin E, or how much of each, may protect you against disease. Until more research is done that provides further information, you should not take more than 400 IU of vitamin E a day.
— Brent Bauer, M.D., General Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.
Additional Information:
Information on Vitamin E Supplements
More Information on Vitamin E Supplements
Vitamin and Mineral Supplements--Use with Care
DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I recently had cataract surgery in my left eye. Prior to surgery, I had blurred vision, especially when encountering light. After surgery, I find that the same condition exists. I was told I had dry eye, and I’ve been using artificial tears. After surgery, I also used gradually tapered doses of prednisone. The ophthalmologist says that everything went well with the surgery and to give it time to heal. But I still have discomfort. Can you offer any advice?
ANSWER: Your symptoms are likely a result of the surgery, as well as your dry eye condition. Light sensitivity can get worse after removing a cataract. Blue eyes are especially light-sensitive. The cataract can act like a filter and removing it and replacing it with a clear implant exposes your eye to more light. Lifestyle modifications such as darker sunglasses and tinted glasses often help.
The discomfort and irritation you are experiencing may also be due to dry eye. In addition, dry eye may contribute to light sensitivity.
Dry eyes, which are increasingly common with age, can have many causes. A few examples include:
— Hormonal changes.
— Common medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, including diuretics, antihistamines and decongestants, sleeping pills, tricyclic antidepressants and opioid pain relievers such as morphine.
— Medical conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and Sjogren's syndrome, an autoimmune disease producing dry eye and dry mouth.
— Blepharitis, an inflammation along the edge of the eyelids that produces an unstable tear film.
Depending on the cause, there are several treatment options. Artificial tears are the initial treatment. If dry eyes are caused by chronic inflammation, cyclosporine (Restasis), an anti-inflammatory eyedrop, could be prescribed by your physician. If medications contribute to your dry eyes, perhaps they can be changed. In addition, your eye-care provider could suggest treatments that close your tear ducts. That would conserve both your own tears and artificial tears you may add. Finally, nutritional supplements such as flaxseed oil can sometimes alleviate dry eye.
— Saiyid Akbar Hasan, M.D., Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Fla.
Additional Resources:
Dry Eyes
Appointment Information
More Information on Dry Eyes
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Medical Edge from Mayo Clinic is an educational resource and doesn’t
replace regular medical care. To e-mail a question, go to www.mayoclinic.org,
or write: Medical Edge from Mayo Clinic, c/o TMS, 2225 Kenmore Ave.,
Suite 114, Buffalo, N.Y., 14207. For health information, visit www.mayoclinic.com.
© 2005 TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.
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