Americans always seem to be looking for the magic pill that will make them younger, stronger, thinner, more beautiful and help them live longer. Unfortunately, there is no such thing. Recent studies suggest, however, that daily vitamin E supplements may slow down the progression or prevent some forms of heart disease.

Countries that have a diet low in vitamin E tend to have a higher incidence of heart disease. The best sources of vitamin E in the diet are vegetable and seed oils, like sunflower seeds, wheat germ, almonds, peanuts and avocados. Unfortunately, these foods are also high in fat and calories.

Several studies have shown that a daily vitamin E pill can help prevent heart attacks. One study of over 87,000 healthy female nurses followed for 8 years showed that taking at least 100 IU (International Units) per day of vitamin E reduced the chance of developing coronary artery disease by 41 percent.

Another study from Cambridge, England looked at the effect of 400-800 IU of vitamin E per day on 2000 people who already had developed coronary heart disease. They found that daily vitamin E pills reduced the chance of having a heart attack in these patients by an outstanding 77 percent.

Vitamin E is known as one of the antioxidants. It is felt to work by preventing fats in your bloodstream from building up blockages in your arteries and forming blood clots that can lead to heart attacks.

Vitamin E at doses up to 400 IU per day is felt to be very safe. It can rarely cause diarrhea and intestinal gas. Vitamin E is also fairly inexpensive. You can buy store brands for less than 6 cents per day.

Vitamin E is clearly not the much sought after Fountain of Youth. It does appear, however, that a daily vitamin E pill can be a sensible part of a heart healthy diet and exercise program to help prevent coronary artery disease.

7/00 Addendum to Vitamin E article.

A very large randomized trial called the HOPE (Heart Outcomes Prevention Evaluation) Study tested Vitamin E 400 IU in 9,541 patients at high risk for heart attack, stroke or other cardiac events. This very well run study showed absolutely no benefit (or harm) from taking this dosage of Vitamin E. This study was published in the New England Journal of Medicine (2000;342:154-60).