01.01.05
Indication: Colds in the elderly
Source: JAMA, 2004;292:828-836.
Research: Researchers gave 451 nursing home residents 200 IU daily of supplemental vitamin E or placebos for one year. In addition, all of the subjects received a multivitamin/multimineral supplement containing one-half of the recommended daily allowance for essential nutrients.
Results: According to researchers, significantly fewer persons in the vitamin E group contracted one or more respiratory tract infections. Only 65% of those taking vitamin E developed respiratory tract infections, compared with 74% of those taking placebos. Most of the benefits were related to a reduction in upper respiratory infections, specifically the common cold. A subgroup analysis by the researchers found that people taking vitamin E had a 20% lower risk of contracting a cold. However, among people who did contract a cold, vitamin E did not affect the duration or symptoms associated with this illness.
Source: JAMA, 2004;292:828-836.
Research: Researchers gave 451 nursing home residents 200 IU daily of supplemental vitamin E or placebos for one year. In addition, all of the subjects received a multivitamin/multimineral supplement containing one-half of the recommended daily allowance for essential nutrients.
Results: According to researchers, significantly fewer persons in the vitamin E group contracted one or more respiratory tract infections. Only 65% of those taking vitamin E developed respiratory tract infections, compared with 74% of those taking placebos. Most of the benefits were related to a reduction in upper respiratory infections, specifically the common cold. A subgroup analysis by the researchers found that people taking vitamin E had a 20% lower risk of contracting a cold. However, among people who did contract a cold, vitamin E did not affect the duration or symptoms associated with this illness.