Vitamin E and Multivitamins lower your risk of dying from heart disease

Regular consumption of a Multiple-vitamins, mineral supplement reduces the risk of dying from heart disease by 16%, according to a new study from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center at the University of Washington. Intakes of vitamin E over 215 milligrams per day over the course of ten years were also associated with a hefty 28% reduced risk of dying from cardiovascular disease. Vitamins C and E were associated with small decreases in the risk of total mortality (from heart disease, cancer, infection, diabetes, lung disease, etc.).

The Seattle-based researchers analysed the 10-year use of multivitamin, vitamins C and E supplements on 5-year total mortality, and death from cancer or cardiovascular disease (CVD). Data from 77,719 Washington State residents between 50 to 76 years of age was obtained. The data showed that the use of multivitamins and Vitamin E were associated with decreased risk of death from CVD.

Earlier this year, scientists from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences reported that the cells of multivitamin users may have a younger biological age than cells from non-users. The researchers led by Honglei Chen, MD, PhD, looked at the length of telomeres, DNA sequences at the end of chromosomes that shorten as cells replicate and age. The study was reported to be the first epidemiologic investigation of multivitamin use and telomere length (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, June 2009). The new study is published online ahead of print in the American Journal of Epidemiology.