It is possible that with the volume (of vitamin E) contained in health supplements, bones may become fragile."
Shu Takeda of Keio University People who receive excessive amounts of vitamin E through taking unnecessary supplements may be at a greater risk of developing osteoporosis.
Japanese scientists warn that consuming vitamin E supplements leads to bone degeneration.
Shu Takeda and colleagues at Keio University gave a group of lab mice increased doses of the vitamin to a level similar to that found in supplements.
According to the report published in Nature Medicine, after eight weeks, the researchers found signs of bone loss in the mice receiving higher levels of vitamin E.
Although previous findings said vitamin E could benefit bone health, the new study says high blood levels of the nutrient may disrupt the dynamic balance between bone formation and degeneration by increasing the production of osteoclasts or bone-degrading cells.
“It is possible that with the volume (of vitamin E) contained in health supplements, bones may become fragile,” concluded Takeda.
He said further investigations about the benefits and risks of the popular supplement in humans are necessary to determine the amount of that may possibly trigger the same harmful reactions in people.
SJM/TE