The Claim

Supplementation with 400 IU of synthetic vitamin E every other day for 10 years does not increase the risk of prostate cancer in healthy male physicians aged 50 and older, even after extended post-trial follow-up.

Source: Vitamin E and C supplementation and risk of cancer in men: posttrial follow-up in the Physicians' Health Study II randomized trial.

What the research says

Supports is higher

Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.

Supports
82score
Challenges
0score

These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.

Cause and effect
1 study reviewed
In plain English

Taking 400 IU of synthetic vitamin E every other day for 10 years does not raise the risk of prostate cancer in healthy men aged 50 and older, even when followed for longer than the trial period.

See the scientific wording

Supplementation with 400 IU of synthetic vitamin E every other day does not increase the risk of prostate cancer in healthy male physicians aged 50 and older over a 10-year period, even after extended post-trial follow-up.

Why this might work

Taking synthetic vitamin E every other day does not change any process in the body that leads to prostate cancer. The cells in the prostate do not react to this supplement in a way that causes DNA damage, abnormal growth, or inflammation that could lead to cancer.

Verified mechanismbased on 1 study

What the research says

1 study
  1. Study: Vitamin E and C supplementation and risk of cancer in men: posttrial follow-up in the Physicians' Health Study II randomized trial.

    This big, long-term study found that men who took vitamin E supplements every other day for over 10 years were no more likely to get prostate cancer than those who took a sugar pill. So, the supplement didn’t raise their risk.

Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies

Fit Body Science verdict — we translate health claims into clear verdicts backed by peer-reviewed research.

Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.