Vitamin E ?

[M&M]

Good Morning I have a wonderful sister-in-law - but she has just given me a bunch of reports on vitamin E. One report said that "Vitamin E moderately prolongs prothrombin clotting time, decreases plaetlet adhesion, and has a limited "blood thinning effect." THe pharmaceutical industry and the medical profession are wel aware of vitamin E's anticoagulant property and that 'very high doeses of this vitamin may act synergistically with anticoagulant drugs' - However, this also means vitamin E can, entirely or in part, substitute for such drugsbut do so more safely. Then its says: Perhaps this is best summed up by surgeon Edward WIlliam Alton Oscsner, M.D. who said, "Vitamin E is a potent inhibitor of thrombin that does not produce a hemorrahagic tendency and therefore is a safe prophylactic against venous thrombosis"

I know that paragraph was way to much information to digest this early in the morning. I can't even type well this early in the morning.. I should get a cup of coffee before reading my sister-in-law's articles..

But, I just thought I would ask anyone who has done any research on Vitamin E vs' Coumadin. Years ago I took Vitamin E and I had no problems with it. But my cardiologist did tell me to stop taking it as they had found no benefits for people with heart disease. That was before my valve replacement. I liked to take it mainly because I thought it helped lessen the severity of my hot flashes. Heck that in itself it was worth taking the pill and since I didn't grow any green toenails - I thought this stuff isn't hurting me anyways.

Does anybody have any input on this subject and what you have learned over the years?

Thanks
M&M

 

[tobagotwo]

I read a study about a year ago that found that amounts of Vitamin E over 400 IU per day were associated with premature death. It didn't have a specific cause associated with it, it was a survey-type study. However, 400 IU is a standard supplement dose. So, if you're taking a supplement and a regular vitamin pill, you're probably over that 400 IU. Don't forget the cereals that have vitamins thrown in, too.

However, numerous studies have claimed benefits from vitamin E over the years, so it makes sense to take some. I take a type that is 100 IU, containing mixed tocopherols (not just d-alpha) and tocotrienols, which are biologically associated with vitamin E.

The RDA is 30 IU, so that leaves plenty of wiggle room. Vitamin E doesn't seem to affect coagulation enough to be a problem with aspirin or Coumadin (warfarin), but it's always good to check Al Lodwick's site for the latest info on warfarin.

Just my opinion.

Best wishes,

 

[tommy]

My cardio advised me against Vit E. He said that there it little benefit for me. He also said that there are other studies that support the recent one.

 

[Guest]

Dr. Ochsner died in 1981. He likely made this statement during the 1950s when warfarin was not a widely used drug. To base a life and death decision on a statement that is about 50 years old seems foolhardy to me. What if the doctor who told you of your valve problem was using 1950s statements? That would have meant you being told to write your will because there was nothing further that could be done. To me it is sheer stupidity for people to dig up these statements and not put them in historical perspective. Abagail Adams (wife of John Adams, the 2nd President of the US) once had a gallon of blood drained out of her body because she was not feeling well. This could be justified as a treatment for you by the same logic as the Dr. Ochsner statement.

I don't know of any studies comparing vitamin E to warfarin. There has been one comparing warfarin to aspirin for atrial fibrillation. It was found that aspirin was only 20% as effective at preventing strokes but every week somebody writes to me wanting to use aspirin because it is safer, or warfarin makes them feel bad.

I do not think that people who give out this type of information really have your best interests in mind.