Posted on: Saturday, November 27, 2004
PRESCRIPTIONS
Vitamin E may reduce colds
By Amy Tousman
Q. Is vitamin E safe and effective for preventing colds?
A. There is no known cure for the common cold, however many substances have been touted as preventing or reducing the severity of colds.
The latest addition to this arsenal is vitamin E. Researchers from Tufts University found that nursing-home residents who took vitamin E supplements were less likely to catch colds than those who did not. Their findings are reported in the August 18, 2004 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
In the study, 451 nursing home residents took 200 international units of vitamin E or a placebo daily for 12 months. Participants from both groups received a multivitamin and a flu shot.
After a year, researchers evaluated the occurrence of both colds and pneumonia among the residents. Fewer people taking vitamin E study contracted colds. Pneumonia rates were not affected by vitamin E.
Of those completing the study, 46 percent got colds in the vitamin E group, compared to 57 percent in the placebo group. Those who took vitamin E had a 20 percent less risk of getting a cold.
In a separate study, researchers also found that vitamin E supplements improved immune response in young men. It was a significant improvement, but the degree of improvement was less than what was seen in the elderly.
Although these results look promising, vitamin E alone is no "cure-all." It should be noted that even in the vitamin E group, many nursing home residents still got at least one cold. The addition of the multivitamin supplement may have decreased nutritional deficiencies which may have influenced the results for both groups.
Recently negative reports about the safety of high doses of vitamin E have been in the news. The amount of vitamin E recommended for cold prevention is much lower than the amount discussed in these alarming reports. There are also many flaws in the researcher's method of determining that vitamin E is unsafe. By contrast, many studies show positive effects from vitamin E supplements.
This research does remind us that as with anything, moderation is the key. Large doses of vitamin E are not necessary and may have risks.
The bottom line: a small dose of vitamin E (200 IU) along with a healthy diet, a multivitamin, and regular hand-washing may help prevent colds in elderly nursing home residents.
Amy Tousman is a registered dietitian with the Health Education Center of Straub Clinic and Hospital. Hawai'i experts in traditional medicine, naturopathic medicine and diet take turns writing the Prescriptions column. Send your questions to: Prescriptions, Island Life, The Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802; fax 535-8170; islandlife@honoluluadvertiser.com. This column is not intended to provide medical advice.
