Vitamin E must be doing something right — because the mainstream is suddenly coming at it with a vengeance.
Researchers claim that this essential nutrient can increase the risk of stroke, and are warning people away from supplements.
But don’t toss your E supply in the trash just yet — because this is just another case of a trumped-up study being blown out of proportion by attention-seeking (or, at least, grant-seeking) scientists.
These researchers pooled together data from nine trials involving 118,756 patients, and found that those who took vitamin E had a slight increase in the risk of hemorrhagic stroke.
The risk is quite small — but it’s there nonetheless, at least according to this study. The researchers say there will be one extra hemorrhagic stroke for every 1,250 people who take vitamin E.
Now, I’ll be the first to say that even a small risk is still a risk… but let’s look at the larger numbers here — because this one doesn’t add up.
The study found that while vitamin E users appear to have that slight increase in hemorrhagic stroke risk, they actually have a lower risk of the more common type of stroke — ischemic stroke.
Put it all together, and the study found that E users don’t have a higher overall risk of stroke. In fact, the total risk might even be lower.
But what’s really funny about this one isn’t the false panic over E — it’s what these researchers say you should take instead of a simple, safe heart-friendly supplement: statin drugs.
These guys are either ignorant or devious — because a 2007 study found that while statin users may have a lower overall stroke risk, they have a higher risk of — you guessed it — hemorrhagic stroke!
What’s more, statin drugs can increase the risk of muscle pain, permanent muscle damage, liver and kidney problems and cataracts.
Vitamin E: None of the above. In fact, it can ease muscle pain, boost liver and kidney health and may even slow or inhibit cataract growth.
Stick to your guns — and stick to your supplements. E’s one of the good ones, and don’t let anyone tell you differently.
William Campbell Douglass I.I., M.D. has been called "the conscience of modern medicine."
You can sign up for his "Daily Dose" at DouglassReport.com.
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