Prostate cancer remains one of the most frequent malignancies in older U.S. men with about 186 000 new cases and 29 000 deaths predictable for 2008. Many people look to vitamin pills for prevention of chronic diseases like cancer though benefits have been few and far between. Several earlier studies suggest that vitamin E may reduce or delay the risk of prostate cancer. The most persuasive data sustaining a role of vitamin E in the prevention of prostate cancer have come from the Finnish ATBC (Alpha-Tocopherol Beta Carotene) Cancer Prevention Trial.

A new research publication reveals that lack of vitamin D can double the risk of getting cardiovascular disease like stroke and heart failure. Dr. James H. O'Keefe director of preventive cardiology at the Mid America Heart Institute in Kansas City is the lead author of a paper  published in the Dec. 9 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Dr. O’Keefe opined that lack of vitamin D can add to known major risk factors like high blood pressure diabetes and stiffening of the left ventricle of the heart and blood-vessels.

Vitamin B Supplementation Has no effect on Cancer Rates http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/short/300/17/2012?rss=1 The latest JAMA reports that a randomized controlled trial in women found no reduction in the rates of invasive cancer. As part of the Women's Antioxidant and Folic acid Cardiovascular Study 5442 health professionals were followed for 7.3 years. In the experimental group the participants received folic acid vitamin B6 and Vitamin B12 supplementation. There was a matched control group.