Effect of daily vitamin E and multivitamin-mineral supplementation on acute respiratory tract infections in elderly persons: a randomized controlled trial.

Study answer

What this study found

Neither daily multivitamin-mineral supplementation at near-RDA levels nor 200 mg/day vitamin E reduced the incidence or severity of acute respiratory tract infections in this well-nourished older population. Among participants who became infected, vitamin E was associated with worse illness severity, including longer illness duration, more symptoms, higher fever, and more restriction of activity. The trial therefore did not support vitamin E or multivitamin-mineral supplementation for preventing respiratory infections in these elderly community-dwelling adults.

Study & population

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in community-dwelling, well-nourished men and women aged 60 years or older in the Wageningen area of the Netherlands.

Intervention

In a 2×2 factorial design, participants received oral multivitamin-mineral capsules at near-RDA physiological levels, 200 mg/day vitamin E as alpha-tocopheryl acetate, both supplements together, or placebo.

Key limitation

The population was relatively healthy and well nourished, so the findings may not generalize to deficient, frailer, or institutionalized older adults.

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Original abstract