Vitamin E supplementation increased risk of Tuberculosis
We have long used vitamin E and beta-carotenes to fight infection. A study conducted for 6.1 years consisting of over 29,000 males aged 50-69, smoking at baseline and no history of tuberculosis (t.b.), looked at whether vitamin E or beta-carotene could affect tuberculosis risk. Dosages were 50 mg/d vitamin E and 20 mg beta-carotene. The trial was conducted in a general community in Finland.
However, the vitamin C intake completely skewed the data with participants taking in 90 mg/day of ascorbic acid, vitamin E supplementation increased the rate of t.b. by 72.This effect was restricted to participants who smoke heavily.
The conclusion was that vitamin E should be limited in those who smoke heavily and particularly in those participants who have a high vitamin C intake. This mechanism of action needs to be explored because even though vitamin E can make a free radical oxidation state present in disease worse, vitamin C should help scavenge any free radicals contributed to the situation by vitamin E. This study did not show that relationship. From a previous article it was recommended that smokers not consume multivitamins. Here again is another study linking vitamin E and C to an increased outcome of prevalence of leukemia. Another case where multivitamins may not be warranted?
About the Author
Kathy Shattler received her Master of Science degree from Michigan State University in E. Lansing Michigan in Human Nutrition. Her twenty-two years of practice includes holding positions as a Lecturer, Chief Clinical Dietitian and Program Manager. Kathy is the Founder of Nutri-Care Consulting and is currently the Nutrition Director of www.CEU4U.COM, an online continuing education management company for Registered Dietitians and Dietetic Technicians.
