Authors Drs. David Emmert and Jeffrey Kirchner say dietary sources cannot provide enough of the vitamin to make a difference in the prevention of heart disease. For example, it would take 1,000 almonds to provide 400 international units of Vitamin E compared to just one supplement tablet.
Emmert says not to worry about taking large concentrations of the vitamin, as it's been proven safe and adverse reactions are extremely rare. He warns, however, not to rely on the vitamin as a quick fix and to make other lifestyle changes, such as exercising and quitting smoking, to reduce chances of heart problems.
The U.S. Nurses Health Study and the U.S. Health Professional Follow-Up Study show a 34 percent and 39 percent reduction in the risk of having a heart attack for those taking vitamin E supplements. The Iowa Women's Health Study results show a 47 percent reduction in cardiac deaths.
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