Vitamin E vs. colds

Vitamin E may help prevent colds, at least in the elderly. Researchers gave synthetic vitamin E (200 IU of dl-alpha-tocopherol) or a placebo to 451 nursing home residents aged 65 to 103 (the average was 85). All participants also got a multi-vitamin that contained half the recommended daily allowance for most nutrients.

After one year, the vitamin E takers were 19 percent less likely to have caught a cold than the placebo takers. Vitamin E had no impact on bronchitis, ear infections, flu-like infections, pneumonia, sinus infections, or sore throats.

What to do: Although these results are promising, one study isn't enough to prove that vitamin E prevents colds in older people, much less others. Taking 200 IU of vitamin E is probably safe, since 1,100 IU a day causes no adverse effects. People who take blood thinning drugs should check with their physician, though, since too much vitamin E may cause bleeding.

J. Amer. Med. Assoc. 292: 828, 2004.

COPYRIGHT 2004 Center for Science in the Public Interest
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