HIGH INTAKES OF VITAMINS E AND C FOUND SAFE.

A recent database review found ample research to show vitamins E and C do not exhibit a consistent pattern of adverse effects, even when taken at high levels. The review was published in the April issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition and conducted by researchers from the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN). Due to results from copious clinical trials conducted on the vitamins’ positive effects on various diseases, human consumption is often above the recommended dietary allowances, which are set at 30 IU for vitamin E and 75 mg for vitamin C. CRN scientists wrote that abundant studies of vitamin C supplementation have provided no consistent evidence to support concerns about safety, other than occasional gastrointestinal upset or mild diarrhea from unabsorbed vitamin C. Likewise, they found the evidence of bleeding from high vitamin E intake is not convincing. The researchers concluded clinical trial evidence show safe intake for most adults is as high as 1600 IU for vitamin E, and 2000 mg for vitamin C. In addition, they concluded that the mild adverse effects of each did not influence the tolerable upper intake levels when taken in combination. (John N. Hathcock, et.al., “Vitamins E and C are safe across a broad range of intakes,” American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 81, No. 4, April 2005, pp. 736-745).