Vitamin E administration may decrease the incidence of pneumonia in elderly males.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Vitamin E has influenced the immune system in laboratory studies. Dozens of animal experiments have found that vitamin E offered protection against infections caused by viruses and bacteria. Previously, significant heterogeneity was found in the effect of vitamin E supplementation on pneumonia in humans. The aim of this study was to examine how the effect of vitamin E on pneumonia risk depends on age.

Methods

Secondary analysis of the Alpha-Tocopherol, Beta-Carotene Cancer Prevention study in Finland, 1985-1993, was performed. Participants were male smokers aged 50-69 years at the baseline who started to smoke at ≥21 years (N=7,469). Intervention was 50 mg/d of vitamin E for 5-8 years. The outcome was the incidence of hospital-treated, community-acquired pneumonia

SUBMITTER: Hemila H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5055121 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature