Popping pills: Vitamin supplements under fire

London, Mar 1 (UNI) Vitamin E supplements may raise the risk of lung cancer, researchers say.

The latest research, carried out at the University of Washington in Seattle, shows that vitamin supplements were a poor substitute to a diet rich in fruit and vegetables.

A study conducted on more than 77,000 people between the ages of 50 and 76 found that taking moderate to high doses of Vitamin E led to a significant increase in the risk of cancer.

Lung cancer claims more than 33,000 lives a year, with only five per cent of patients still alive five years after diagnosis.

''In contrast to the often assumed benefits or at least lack of harm, supplemental Vitamin E was associated with a small increased risk of lung cancer,'' Daily Mail quoted researcher Christopher Slatore as saying.

Multi-vitamin supplements contains 100 to 300 milligrams of vitamin E.

The risk was equivalent to seven per cent rise for every extra 100 milligrams of Vitamin E taken per day over 10 years, showing a 28 per cent increased risk of lung cancer for someone regularly taking a high 400-milligram-dose of the vitamin.

UNI XC PD SK RK1230