Vitamin E slashes the risk of developing lung cancer

December 31, 2008
Increasing intakes of vitamin E may decrease the risk of lung cancer by over 50 % according to a study newly published by researchers at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Centre. They report that a higher intake of vitamin E in the alpha-tocopherol form was associated with a consistent and independent reduction in lung cancer risk. The researchers calculated that the highest average intake of alpha-tocopherol (more than 7.73 mg per day) was associated with a 53 % reduction in lung cancer risk, compared to the lowest average intake (less than 4.13 mg per day). Considering all the tocopherols together, the highest average intake (more than 12.95 mg per day) was associated with a 55 % reduction in the risk of lung cancer, compared to the lowest average intake (less than 6.68 mg per day), said the researchers. The study is published in the International Journal of Cancer, Volume 123.