Update on Vitamin E and Age-Related Macular Degeneration
by Eleanor E. Faye, MD
A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reported that taking high- dosage vitamin E supplements equal to, or greater than, 400 IU may increase the risk of death. Since vitamin E was one of the components of the multivitamin supplement used in the National Eye Institute's Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS), the AREDS Coordinating Center sent a letter to all study participants to clarify the findings and allay any concerns that the new report might cause.
The letter points out that most of the clinical trials included in the analysis used higher amounts (greater than 400 IU) of vitamin E, and the few that used about 400 IU did not find an increased risk of dying for those who took this dose. It also explains that the 400 IU dose of vitamin E in the AREDS formulation does not imply increased risk of death for persons who are taking the supplement to prevent the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The Center reaffirms the benefit of taking the AREDS multivitamin because data show that it can reduce the risk of developing advanced AMD by about 25%.
Since vitamin E is a blood thinner, you do need to be mindful of your intake of other blood thinning agents, such as aspirin, fish oil, gingko biloba, concentrated extracts of ginger and garlic, as well as medications like Coumadin and cortisone. All of these can contribute to thinning of the blood, which can result in bruising and even eye hemorrhages.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about possible interactions between your current over-the-counter, herbal and prescribed medications. Conduct a full inventory of all your vitamins, medications and herbal supplements to ensure that you are not exceeding safe limits of any one particular vitamin or creating potential negative interactions. For example, you may be taking vitamin E as a supplement not realizing that your multivitamin also contains E. The combination of the two may exceed the current recommended safe level of 400 IU. Be certain that you aren't getting too much of a good thing.
This article appeared in Sharing Solutions - Spring 2005 Edition
Eleanor E. Faye, MD, Ophthalmological Advisor, Lighthouse International