EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE UNTIL 5:30 PM ET, TUESDAY, APRIL 20, 1999 For more information contact: Julie Gilbert (651) 695-2763 through April 15 Toronto Press Room (416) 597-8181 April 17-23
Vitamin E May Reduce Stroke Risk
Toronto (April 20, 1999) -- Vitamin E supplements may help prevent stroke, according to a study released during the American Academy of Neurology 51st Annual Meeting April 17-24 in Toronto.
A person's risk for stroke is reduced by 53 percent if he or she takes a vitamin supplement containing vitamin E, according to researchers.
"People are reaping protective benefits from vitamin E simply by taking a multi-vitamin," said neurologist and study author Richard Benson, MD, of Columbia Presbyterian Center of New York Presbyterian Hospital, in New York, NY. "Using a vitamin to help maintain good health is appealing to a lot of people because it doesn't require much effort or a prescription, and it's affordable."
In the study, researchers examined 850 Hispanic, African-American and Caucasian adults with an average age of 69. Within the study group, 350 people previously had suffered a stroke. Forty-six percent of all participants took vitamin supplements.
Researchers determined each person's intake of vitamin E from either their diet alone (for participants not taking vitamin supplements), or diet plus vitamin consumption. The amount of Vitamin E consumed by stroke participants prior to their stroke was compared to the consumption of healthy participants.
Those who never had a stroke were two times more likely to take vitamin supplements than to those who had suffered a stroke. Vitamin E from foods did not impact stroke risk.
"This study reveals the important role that vitamin supplements can play in preventing common diseases such as stroke," said neurologist and co-author Ralph Sacco, MD, also of Columbia Presbyterian Center of New York Presbyterian Hospital.
"Although vitamin E is important to health, we aren't suggesting people take more than a multi-vitamin," said Benson. Excessive vitamin E may cause side effects such as nausea, diarrhea and flatulence.
This research is part of the Northern Manhattan Stroke Study, an ongoing, population-based study designed to determine the incidence, risk factors and prognosis of stroke in a multi-ethnic, urban population.
Research is supported by a grant from the National Institutes of Health.
The American Academy of Neurology, an association of more than 15,000 neurologists and neuroscience professionals, is dedicated to improving patient care through education and research.
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Editor's Note: Dr. Benson will present the study at a poster presentation session during the American Academy of Neurology's 51th Annual Meeting in Toronto on Tuesday, April 20, from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm in Exhibit Hall C of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
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