Effect of vitamin E supplementation on blood pressure: a systematic review and meta-analysis

J Hum Hypertens. 2019 Jul;33(7):499-507. doi: 10.1038/s41371-019-0192-0. Epub 2019 Mar 7.

Abstract

Although emerging evidence suggests that vitamin E may contribute to blood pressure improvement, the effects of vitamin E on systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) are still controversial. The aim was to evaluate the influence of vitamin E on SBP, DBP, and MAP through meta-analysis. We identified all studies that assessed the effect of vitamin E supplementation on SBP, DBP, and MAP from PubMed/Medline, SCOPUS, and Google scholar up to March 2018. Weighted mean differences (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were expressed as effect size. Pre-specified subgroup analysis was conducted to evaluate potential sources of heterogeneity. Meta-regression analyses were performed to investigate association between blood pressure-lowering effects of vitamin E and duration of follow-up and dose of treatment. Eighteen trials, comprising 839 participants met the eligibility criteria. Results of this study showed that compared to placebo, SBP decreased significantly in vitamin E group (WMD = -3.4 mmHg, 95% CI = -6.7 to -0.11, P < 0.001), with a high heterogeneity across the studies (I2 = 94.0%, P < 0.001). Overall, there were no significant effects on DBP and MAP. This meta-analysis suggested that vitamin E supplements decreased only SBP and had no favorable effect on DBP and MAP.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antihypertensive Agents / adverse effects
  • Antihypertensive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Arterial Pressure / drug effects*
  • Dietary Supplements* / adverse effects
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypertension / diagnosis
  • Hypertension / drug therapy*
  • Hypertension / physiopathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vitamin E / adverse effects
  • Vitamin E / therapeutic use*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antihypertensive Agents
  • Vitamin E