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Brief Communication: The Prevalence of High Intake of Vitamin E from the Use of Supplements among U.S. Adults
- Earl S. Ford, MD, MPH;
- Umed A. Ajani, MBBS, MPH; and
- Ali H. Mokdad, PhD
Abstract
Background: People who consume at least 400 IU of vitamin E per day from supplements may be at slightly increased risk for premature mortality.
Objective: To estimate the percentage of U.S. adults age 20 years or older who consume at least 400 IU of vitamin E per day through the use of vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements.
Design: Cross-sectional analysis.
Setting: The 1999–2000 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
Patients: Representative sample of the civilian, noninstitutionalized U.S. population.
Measurements: Participants answered questions about the use of vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements.
Results: Among 4609 adults, 11.3% (95% CI, 9.7% to 13.1%) consumed at least 400 IU of vitamin E per day from supplements. Such intake increased with age, was about equal for men and women, and was more common among white persons (14.1%; CI, 11.9% to 16.7%) than African-American (3.7% [CI, 2.6% to 5.2%]) or Mexican-American persons (3.9% [CI, 2.8% to 5.4%]). The median dietary intake of vitamin E was 8.8 IU per day.
Limitations: Information about vitamin E intake was self-reported.
Conclusions: The use of vitamin E supplements in dosages of at least 400 IU per day is common among U.S. adults.
Article and Author Information
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Potential Financial Conflicts of Interest: None disclosed.
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Requests for Single Reprints: Earl Ford, MD, MPH, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway, MS K66, Atlanta, GA 30341.
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Current Author Addresses: Drs. Ford, Ajani, and Mokdad: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway, MS K66, Atlanta, GA 30341.
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Author Contributions: Conception and design: E.S. Ford, A.H. Mokdad.
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Analysis and interpretation of the data: E.S. Ford, U.A. Ajani, A.H. Mokdad.
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Drafting of the article: E.S. Ford, A.H. Mokdad.
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Critical revision of the article for important intellectual content: E.S. Ford, U.A. Ajani, A.H. Mokdad.
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Final approval of the article: E.S. Ford, U.A. Ajani.
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Statistical expertise: E.S. Ford.
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