By Susha Cheriyedath, M.Sc.Aug 2 2023Reviewed by Sophia Coveney In a recent study published in the journal Nutrients, researchers examined the relationships between vitamin E or circulating α-tocopherol intake and health outcomes using meta-analyses.
Earlier studies suggest that vitamin E may prevent cardiovascular disease by reducing lipoprotein oxidation and platelet aggregation. However, some credible research has refuted the claim that extra vitamin E can reduce CVD, as well as the relationship between vitamin E and cancer. They searched PubMed, Excerpta Medica Database , and the Cochrane Library of Systematic Reviews using the search parameters suggested by the SIGN guidance. They included randomized controlled trials and observational data, documenting the study selection process with a PRISMA flowchart. All relevant meta-analyses examined the association between vitamin E intake or circulating α-tocopherol and health outcomes.
The research team recalculated each health outcome's meta-analysis, summary effect, magnitude, and 95% confidence interval using DerSimonian and Laird's random-effects model. The analysis was conducted without patient participation, and local policymakers intended to share the findings on the website of the Cochrane China Centre.
The inclusion of observational studies resulted in low scores for GRADE and AMSTAR2, despite evidence of a positive relationship between circulating α-tocopherol levels and asthma in children. The use of vitamin E in pediatric NAFLD patients is permitted in the absence of sufficient study evidence. Over half of the observational studies indicated nominally statistically significant protective relationships, possibly due to RCTs being more conservative and having lower statistical power.