Taking high doses of vitamin E supplements increases the risk of developing prostate cancer, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Cleveland Clinic scientists began their study with the goal of analyzing the protective benefits of selenium and vitamin E in preventing cancer, but the results point to the exact opposite. The vitamin caused a significant increase in the risk of prostate cancer, while selenium showed no additional risk, but no benefit from the mineral was reported. There were 65 new cases of cancer per 1,000 of the men taking the placebo, but 76 cases of prostate cancer per 1,000 of those taking vitamin E. That’s a statistically significant increase, says Dr. Eric Klein, chief of the Cleveland Clinic Urology and lead author of the study. “There is no conclusive evidence that vitamins are beneficial, and there is even evidence that they can be harmful. A large part of multivitamins, for example, contain much smaller amounts of vitamin E,” explains the specialist. Study participants took 18 times the recommended daily dose. NEWS_MORE_BOX It is not yet clear what effect low-dose vitamin E supplements have on the risk of prostate cancer, the scientists say. What is the daily recommended dose of vitamin E: children between 1-3 years – 3 ME; children over 4 to 10 years old – 4 ME; boys from 11 years and men – 10 ME; girls from 11 and women – 8 ME; pregnant women – 10 ME; nursing mothers – 12 ME. The formula for determining the dose of vitamin E can also be used: up to 1 year – 0.5 mg/kg, children and adults – 0.3 mg/kg.