To avoid potentially harmful drug interactions, anyone taking medications should consult a health care professional before taking supplements. Low dose aspirin is used as a preventative treatment for those at risk of developing blood clots leading to strokes and heart attack. Vitamin E is an antioxidant and thus helps to protect your cells from damage. The effect of combining vitamin E with aspirin has been studied, and the scientific results indicate a role for this combination in the treatment of some diseases.
Vitamin E and Platelets
A study published in the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" in 1995 reported the effect of giving dosages of aspirin plus vitamin E to 100 patients with minor strokes, ischemic attacks or the neurological deficit from the attack. Subjects were given either 400 mg of aspirin plus 400 IU of vitamin E, or 325 mg of aspirin alone. The 2-year study showed that the platelet adhesiveness in the group getting both vitamin E and aspirin was significantly less than those taking aspirin alone. The conclusion drawn from these results was that the combination may be a better preventative therapy for those who need platelet anti-aggregation treatment than aspirin by itself.
Vitamin E and Aspirin For Hearing Loss
The National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders cited a study where guinea pigs were exposed to 120 dB noise for 5 hours. Treatment with aspirin and vitamin E within three days of exposure showed a significant reduction in hearing loss. The researchers concluded that this indicated a treatment opportunity for those exposed to noise trauma.
Vitamin E and Mortality
An article by Lloyd de Vries in CBS News in 2004 quoted Dr. Edgar Miller III of John Hopkins University as saying that analysis of vitamin E studies indicated an increased mortality rate with increased dosage of the vitamin. Dr. Miller cited the British Heart Protection Study, where patients were given either a placebo or 660 IU of vitamin E per day. The death rate was 10 percent higher among those taking vitamin E compared to the placebo group. The reasons for this phenomenon remain unclear, and Dr. Miller advocates not taking a vitamin E supplement.
Consideration
The scientific evidence is conclusive; taking a combination of vitamin E and aspirin can be beneficial to those suffering specific conditions. The evidence is also suggests that the possibility of increased mortality with high doses of vitamin E exists. Keeping that in mind, you should only take vitamin E with aspirin after consulting your health care team and deciding if the benefits outweigh any probable drawback.
References
- MedlinePlus: Aspirin
- Office of Dietary Supplements: Vitamin E
- "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition": Vitamin E Plus Aspirin; M. Steiner; December 1995
- National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders: Take Two and Protect Your Hearing
- CBS News.com: Vitamin E May Shorten Life: L. de Vries; November 2004
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