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Excerpts from Vitamin E may reduce lung cancer risk in smokers

Reuters [10/19/99]

High levels of alpha-tocopherol, a form of vitamin E, in the blood appear to reduce the risk of developing lung cancer in smokers by about 20%, according to a report released Tuesday.

However, the researchers say that more study is needed to determine if taking supplements of the vitamin can reduce cancer risk.

``The results of this study showed that serum (blood) levels of vitamin E taken at the beginning of the study was associated with reduced lung cancer.'' lead study author Dr. Karen Woodson told Reuters Health. The research is published in the October 20th edition of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

The researchers attribute the decrease in cancer to vitamin E's antioxidant properties and anticancer properties.

Woodson and colleagues report that the men most likely to experience a benefit from high serum levels of alpha-tocopherol included those younger than 60, men who had smoked for less than 40 years and men who took vitamin E supplements containing alpha-tocopherol during the study.

Despite these results, Woodson said in an interview with Reuters Health that ``the National Cancer Institute has never recommended taking supplements.'' She explained that ``other nutrients like you would get in a balanced diet may be likely to be needed as well for a number of reasons. Further, I would like to stress that the men who went on to take supplements didn't seem to have fewer lung cancers so we can't recommend that. We recommend quitting smoking.''

SOURCE: Journal of the National Cancer Institute 1999;91:1738-1743.

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