In the study reported in Circulation: Heart Failure, researchers followed a group of nearly 40,000 women aged 45 and older in the Women’s Health Study for an average of about 10 years.
The women took 600 international units (IU) of vitamin E or a placebo every other day. During the study, 220 episodes of heart failure were diagnosed and the results showed that taking vitamin E supplements had no impact on the women’s risk of developing heart failure.
Dietetic advisor for Heart UK, Linda Main, said: “Until there is more evidence to support the benefit of taking supplemental vitamin E in people with circulatory disease it is best to avoid costly supplements and continue to consume a healthy varied diet.
“That means a diet that is rich in a range of fruits, vegetables and pulses, low fat dairy foods, wholegrain cereals, nuts and seeds, fish and lean meat and heart healthy spreading and cooking fats (based on nut and seed oils) and which is low in processed foods, salt and added sugar. Such a diet will contain a range of nutrients that are beneficial to heart health.
“Vitamin E is a major antioxidant and is known to help maintain the integrity of fats in the blood and cell membranes, helping to prevent them from being oxidised. It is important to have a regular intake of vitamin E throughout life. It is found in wholegrain cereals, nuts, vegetable oils and some vegetables and fruits. Some groups of the population might benefit from a supplement of vitamin E, particularly those with poor appetites, with increased needs or individuals with poor fat absorption.”
Heart UK is urging women to reduce their risk of heart disease by keeping their cholesterol at a normal level through regular exercise and maintaining a healthy diet. They should also keep their blood pressure at a healthy level and adopt healthy lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, the charity said.
Source: Heart UK
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