Vitamin E Research
46 peer-reviewed studies · Evidence score: 9/10
Pharmacological treatments for Friedreich ataxia
Lyons S, Kearney M, Fahey MC, Janjal P, Pandolfo M, Patton P. • The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2026)
In this updated Cochrane systematic review, meta-analysis of results on the ataxia rating scale showed that pharmacological treatments probably make little or no difference compared with placebo after 12 months of treatment.
- Cardiac abnormalities cause premature death in 60% of people with FRDA.
- We calculated the mean difference (MD) or standardised mean difference (SMD) for continuous outcomes, and the risk ratio (RR) for dichotomous outcomes, all with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).
- All of the studies enroled both males and females, with the proportion of female participants ranging from 21% to 58%.
Comparative effects of vitamin and mineral supplements in the management of type 2 diabetes in primary care: A systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Xia J et al. • Pharmacological research (2023)
All rights reserved.
- Low to very low certainty evidence established chromium supplements as the most effective in reducing fasting blood glucose levels and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (SUCRAs: 90.4% and 78.3%, respectively).
- Vitamin K supplements ranked best in reducing glycated hemoglobin A1c and fasting insulin levels (SUCRAs: 97.0% and 82.3%, respectively), with moderate to very low certainty evidence.
- Vanadium supplements ranked best in lowering total cholesterol levels with very low evidence certainty (SUCRAs:100%).
Effect of vitamin B(2), vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E and folic acid in adults with essential hypertension: a systematic review and network meta-analysis
Qi S et al. • BMJ open (2024)
According to the results, vitamin E might be an effective measure to reduce SBP, but more research is needed to validate this finding.
- Among the five vitamins, only vitamin E was significantly more effective at reducing SBP (mean difference: -14.14 mm Hg, 95% credible intervals: -27.62 to -0.88) than placebo.
- The dose of vitamins, geographical region and percentage of males (only SBP) might be sources of heterogeneity.
- According to the results, vitamin E might be an effective measure to reduce SBP, but more research is needed to validate this finding.
Effect of vitamin E intake on glycemic control and insulin resistance in diabetic patients: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Asbaghi O et al. • Nutrition journal (2023)
This meta-analysis examined the effects of Vitamin E.
- However, in subgroup analyses, we found that vitamin E intake significantly reduced fasting blood glucose in studies with an intervention duration of < 10 weeks.
- In conclusion, vitamin E intake has a beneficial role in improving HbA1c and insulin resistance in a population with diabetes.
- Moreover, short-term interventions with vitamin E have resulted in lower fasting blood glucose in these patients.
Comparative efficacy of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, pioglitazone and vitamin E for liver histology among patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: systematic review and pilot network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Gu Y et al. • Expert review of gastroenterology & hepatology (2023)
GLP-1 receptor agonists were as effective as pioglitazone and vitamin E for liver histology among patients with NAFLD.
- GLP-1 receptor agonists were as effective as pioglitazone and vitamin E for liver histology among patients with NAFLD.
- GLP-1 receptor agonists might be considered as an alternative or complementary treatment in the future clinical practice. [Figure: see text].
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Effect of vitamin E supplementation in rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Kou H et al. • European journal of clinical nutrition (2023)
Vitamin E's ability to restore the intestinal barrier and improve the gastrointestinal tract may be linked to the prevention and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
- Vitamin E's ability to restore the intestinal barrier and improve the gastrointestinal tract may be linked to the prevention and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
- Vitamin E supplements used on a regular basis can help individuals with RA reduce joint discomfort, edema, and stiffness, as well as enhance their overall quality of life.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
The Effect of Vitamin E Supplementation on Serum Aminotransferases in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD): A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Vogli S et al. • Nutrients (2023)
Regarding aspartate aminotransferase (AST), patients in the experimental group experienced a reduction in serum levels, though smaller in absolute values [AST MD = -4.65 IU/L, 95% CI (-7.44, -1.86) in studies conducted in Asian populations] and of lower precision in non-Asian studies [MD = -5.60 IU/L, 95% CI (-11.48, 0.28)].
- Three electronic databases (MEDLINE, CENTRAL, and Embase) were reviewed for randomized trials that tested vitamin E supplementation versus placebo or no intervention in patients with NAFLD, published until April 2023.
- A total of 794 patients from 12 randomized trials were included in this meta-analysis.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Antioxidant vitamins supplementation reduce endometriosis related pelvic pain in humans: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Zheng SH et al. • Reproductive biology and endocrinology : RB&E (2023)
The included studies support the potential role of antioxidant vitamins in the management of endometriosis.
- Conversely, supplementation of vitamin D was associated with a reduction in pelvic pain in endometriosis patients, but the difference was not statistically significant compared to the placebo.
- Furthermore, the inflammatory markers in peritoneal fluid, including RANTES, interleukin-6, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, significantly decreased after antioxidant therapy.
- The included studies support the potential role of antioxidant vitamins in the management of endometriosis.
Vitamin E supplementation and cardiovascular events in high-risk patients: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Myung SK et al. • European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2021)
Vitamin E supplementation did not reduce cardiovascular events or all-cause mortality in high-risk populations.
- No significant reduction in major cardiovascular events with vitamin E
- No effect on all-cause mortality in meta-analysis of large RCTs
- High-dose vitamin E (>=400 IU/d) may increase all-cause mortality risk
A meta-analysis of effects of vitamin E supplementation alone and in combination with omega-3 or magnesium on polycystic ovary syndrome
Heidari H et al. • Scientific reports (2022)
This meta-analysis examined the effects of Magnesium.
- No significant effect was found on HDL-c, glycemic indices, hormonal profile, anthropometric measurements, and other biomarkers of inflammation or oxidative stress.
- This meta-analysis highlights the potential anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties of vitamin E supplementation alone or in combination with omega-3 or magnesium on PCOS patients.© 2022.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Vitamin E supplementation in pregnancy
Rumbold A et al. • The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2015)
The data do not support routine vitamin E supplementation in combination with other supplements for the prevention of stillbirth, neonatal death, preterm birth, pre-eclampsia, preterm or term PROM or poor fetal growth.
- Women supplemented with vitamin E in combination with other supplements compared with placebo were at decreased risk of having a placental abruption (RR 0.64, 95% CI 0.44 to 0.93, seven trials, 14,922 participants, I² = 0%; high quality evidence).
- The data do not support routine vitamin E supplementation in combination with other supplements for the prevention of stillbirth, neonatal death, preterm birth, pre-eclampsia, preterm or term PROM or poor fetal growth.
- Further research is required to elucidate the possible role of vitamin E in the prevention of placental abruption.
Quinine for muscle cramps
El-Tawil S et al. • The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2015)
There is low quality evidence that quinine (200 mg to 500 mg daily) significantly reduces cramp number and cramp days and moderate quality evidence that quinine reduces cramp intensity.
- All 23 trials claimed to be randomised, but only a minority described randomisation and allocation concealment adequately.Compared to placebo, quinine significantly reduced cramp number over two weeks by 28%, cramp intensity by 10%, and cramp days by 20%.
- Cramp duration was not significantly affected.A significantly greater number of people suffered minor adverse events on quinine than placebo (risk difference (RD) 3%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0% to 6%), mainly gastrointestinal symptoms.
- Overdoses of quinine have been reported elsewhere to cause potentially fatal adverse effects, but in the included trials there was no significant difference in major adverse events compared with placebo (RD 0%, 95% CI -1% to 2%).
Vitamin E for people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Wen H et al. • The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2024)
Given the very low certainty evidence, we do not know if long-term treatment (18 months to 24 months) with vitamin E administered alone affects all-cause mortality, serious adverse events, quality of life, or non-serious adverse events in people with NAFLD when compared with placebo or no intervention.
- Vitamin E may slightly reduce serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels (MD -5.21, 95% CI -9.88 to -0.54; 5 trials, 416 participants; very low certainty evidence), but the evidence is very uncertain.
- We found no data on liver-related mortality, liver-related morbidity, or proportion of participants without a decrease in liver enzymes.
- Vitamin E likely reduces ALT and AST slightly when compared with placebo, but whether this has any impact on the clinical course in people with NAFLD is unknown.
The effect of vitamin E supplementation on selected inflammatory biomarkers in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials
Asbaghi O et al. • Scientific reports (2020)
Future high-quality RCTs should be conducted to translate this anti-inflammatory effect of vitamin E to the clinical setting.
- Based on 36 effect sizes from 26 RCTs on serum concentrations of CRP, we found a significant reduction following supplementation with vitamin E (- 0.52, 95% CI - 0.80, - 0.23 mg/L, P < 0.001).
- Considering different chemical forms of vitamin E, α-tocopherol, unlike other forms, had a reducing effect on serum levels of CRP and IL-6.
- In conclusion, our findings revealed a beneficial effect of vitamin E supplementation, particularly in the form of α-tocopherol, on subclinical inflammation in adults.
Vitamin E Supplementation and All-Cause Mortality: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Abner EL, Schmitt FA, Mendiondo MS, Marcum JL, Kryscio RJ • Current Aging Science (2011)
Vitamin E supplementation was not associated with increased all-cause mortality across a broad dose range.
- No significant increase in all-cause mortality with vitamin E supplementation
- Contradicted earlier meta-analysis suggesting dose-dependent mortality increase
- Low-to-moderate doses (under 400 IU) appear safe for general population
Vitamin E Does not Favor Recovery After Exercises: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
de Lima KS et al. • International journal of sports medicine (2024)
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- Meta-analyses were conducted to compare vitamin E and placebo supplementations to obtain a 95% confidence interval (95%IC).
- Compared to placebo, vitamin E had no effects on lipid (95%IC= -0.09 to 0.42), protein (-2.44 to 3.11), SOD (-1.05 to 0.23), interleukin-6 (-0.18 to 1.16), creatine kinase (-0.33 to 0.27), muscle soreness (-1.92 to 0.69), and muscle strength (-1.07 to 0.34).
- Heterogeneity for the analyses on carbonyls, interleukin-6 (1 h and 3 h), and muscle soreness ranged between 70 to 94%.
Vitamin E supplementation and the risk of cancer: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Jiang Q et al. • Nutrients (2019)
Vitamin E supplementation showed mixed results on cancer incidence, with gamma-tocopherol forms showing more promise than alpha-tocopherol.
- Alpha-tocopherol supplementation did not reduce overall cancer risk
- Gamma-tocopherol showed anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties in preclinical data
- Mixed tocopherols may be more effective than alpha-tocopherol alone
Beneficial Effects of Vitamin E Supplementation on Endothelial Dysfunction, Inflammation, and Oxidative Stress Biomarkers in Patients Receiving Hemodialysis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Nguyen TTU et al. • International journal of molecular sciences (2021)
Our results suggest that vitamin E supplementation may help alleviate oxidative stress and both vascular and systemic inflammation in patients receiving hemodialysis.
- We searched the MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases and identified randomized controlled trials of adult patients receiving hemodialysis until 30 August 2021.
- A total of 11 trials with 491 randomized patients were included.
- Our results suggest that vitamin E supplementation may help alleviate oxidative stress and both vascular and systemic inflammation in patients receiving hemodialysis.
The Effects of Combined Vitamin E and C for Treatment of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD): A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Poonyam P et al. • Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention : APJCP (2022)
Vitamin co-treatment may have limited efficacy in NAFLD.
- Vitamin co-treatment may have limited efficacy in NAFLD.
- However, we have little confidence in our effect estimates due to bias and other major constraints.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Effect of vitamin E on Semen Quality Parameters: A Meta-Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial
Wang R et al. • Urology journal (2022)
Vitamin E could increase the total sperm count and reduce the volume of semen in male infertility patients, and long-term treatment could improve the forward motility rate of sperm.
- The results showed that after vitamin E treatment, semen volume was reduced (95% CI: - 0.55 to - 0.06, SMD = - 0.30, p = 0.015), total sperm count was increased (95% CI: 0.02-0.45, SMD = 0.23, p = 0.035), and the differences were statistically significant.
- There were no statistically significant differences in increasing sperm concentration (95% CI: -0.21-0.29, SMD = 0.04, p = 0.769), total sperm motility (95% CI: -0.01-0.42, SMD = 0.20, p = 0.061) or sperm forward motility rate (95% CI: -0.06-0.65, SMD = 0.29, p = 0.106).
- Subgroup analysis showed that vitamin E treatment for six months could improve sperm forward motility (95% CI: 0.46-1.14, SMD = 0.80, p <0.001).