Abstract
In their meta-analysis, Bjelakovic et al. (2013) calculated that vitamin E in doses above the RDA (>15 mg) may slightly increase mortality by 3%. This estimate was based on the pooling of the results of 44 studies. However, study-level analyses can lead to different conclusions than do corresponding individual-level analysis, a difference which is called the “ecological fallacy”. ...
Given the mainly negative findings in the antioxidant trials, it seems justified to discourage the general population from taking supplements until we have better knowledge of the groups of people who may benefit.
However, a single vitamin E effect estimate, such as +3%, does not apply to all people over the globe since, at least, a substantial proportion of Finnish men in the ATBC study are inconsistent with such an effect. The individual-level analysis of the ATBC Study suggests that trials on vitamins E and C for men older than 70 years are warranted.
Given the mainly negative findings in the antioxidant trials, it seems justified to discourage the general population from taking supplements until we have better knowledge of the groups of people who may benefit.
However, a single vitamin E effect estimate, such as +3%, does not apply to all people over the globe since, at least, a substantial proportion of Finnish men in the ATBC study are inconsistent with such an effect. The individual-level analysis of the ATBC Study suggests that trials on vitamins E and C for men older than 70 years are warranted.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | e74558 |
| Journal | PLoS One |
| Volume | 8 |
| ISSN | 1932-6203 |
| Publication status | Published - 2013 |
| MoE publication type | B1 Journal article |
Fields of Science
- 3121 General medicine, internal medicine and other clinical medicine
- 3142 Public health care science, environmental and occupational health
- Tocopherols
- Death
- Survival
- males
- Smoking
- Antioxidant