Vitamin E pills damage the bones

Vitamin E as a pill can damage bones

07.03.2012

Vitamin E is included in many supplements. But now Japanese researchers are alarming: Vitamin E is said to damage the bones. This resulted in studies in mice and rats. To what extent the research results can also be transferred to humans should be shown in further studies.

Vitamin E is a popular dietary supplement
Japanese scientists warn of potential health risks from taking vitamin E. Previously, vitamin E was reputed to be cell-protecting and health-promoting. From experiments with mice and rats it now emerged that the animals that received vitamin E in a similar amount to those found in dietary supplements with the food, already after eight weeks, had a reduction in bone mass by 20 percent. The scientists warn in the trade magazine „Nature Medicine "that vitamin E may also have a negative impact on human health. „Vitamin E is one of the most popular nutritional supplements; in the US alone, ten percent of adults consume it daily, "said Koji Fujita of Tokyo Medical and Dental University and his colleagues.

As an antioxidant, vitamin E is intended to protect cells against aggressive, damaging molecules and thus prevent diseases and counteract aging. According to older studies, there was evidence that vitamin E in the body in the form of the chemical compound alpha-tocopherol had a positive influence on bone growth.

Osteoclasts are responsible for bone loss
This assumption has been refuted by Japanese scientists on the basis of more extensive controlled studies. The studies show that larger amounts of vitamin E in the body result in the destruction of bone. This could be demonstrated on cell cultures, but also in mice and rats. Alpha-tocopherol thus promotes the maturation of so-called osteoclasts, which degrade the bone substance. In a healthy body, there is a balanced ratio of osteoclasts and osteoblasts, which in turn are responsible for building up bone mass. The intake of vitamin E would increase osteoclasts and thus promote bone resorption. „Alpha-tocopherol increased bone resorption by producing additional, mature osteoclasts, "Fujita and his colleagues write, adding that cell fusions, which are the source of particularly large osteoclasts, are promoted by vitamin E..

Other antioxidants are not affected
Basically, antioxidants, which include vitamin E, but would not favor bone loss. This is only the case with vitamin E.. „None of the other antioxidants tested by us promoted increased production of bone-degrading cells except alpha-tocopherol, "the researchers said.

No other chemical form of vitamin E or water-soluble vitamin C would have had a negative effect on the bones. Using mice and rats, the researchers proved that taking vitamin E with food had negative effects. „The dose fed to the animals was comparable to the amount normally found in dietary supplements, "the researchers said, adding that research into this area needs to be done to find out whether taking common vitamin E supplements has a negative impact on human bone growth According to the European Food Safety Authority, 300 mg alpha-tocopherol equals the amount that can be consumed daily without any health risks.

With healthy nutrition, no dietary supplements are necessary
In industrialized countries, vitamins are added to almost all ready-to-eat foods. In addition, there is a rich supply of fruits and vegetables, so that additional vitamin supplements in healthy people are completely unnecessary. Only in certain life constellations it may be advisable to take certain preparations on the advice of the doctor. These include, for example, pregnancy, lactation or severe chronic diseases.

The range of healthy vitamin-rich foods in Germany is very varied throughout the year. Consumers can consistently get enough vitamins without any problems. However, overdosage of supplements can have harmful consequences. Vitamins A, D, E and K as well as beta carotenes accumulate in the human body due to their fat-soluble nature. So far, however, there is no European directive for legal requirements of the maximum levels in vitamin products. (Ag)

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Image: Juliane Drechsel