Diabetics who carry a particular version of a gene (haptoglobin (Hp) 2-2) can significantly reduce their risk of heart attacks and related deaths with the use of Vitamin E supplements.

After 18 months of treatment, people with the haptoglobin (Hp) 2-2 gene who took 400 International Units (IU) of vitamin E daily had more than 50 percent fewer heart attacks, strokes, and related deaths than Hp 2-2 patients who took a placebo pill. 40% of individuals with diabetes carry the Hp 2-2 gene.

Most of the difference came from the reduced number of heart attacks among those taking vitamin E. In the group of 1,434 Hp 2-2 individuals taking part in the study, seven people had a heart attack, compared to 17 who did not take the vitamin. Dr. Andrew Levy, of the Technion Faculty of Medicine, said there were no side effects observed in patients who took vitamin E.

Such were the findings of researchers at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology and the Clalit Health Services in Israel.

According to Dr. Andrew Levy, of the Technion Faculty of Medicine:

There were no side effects observed in patients who took vitamin E. The study suggests that genetic testing for the Hp 2-2 gene "may be useful to identify a large group of diabetes individuals who could potentially derive cardiovascular benefit from a very inexpensive treatment.

This version of the gene does not determine whether or not an individual will develop diabetes but rather whether an individual with diabetes is susceptible to developing the devastating complications associated with diabetes such as heart disease, kidney disease or visual loss."

So, Vitamin E supplements are effective against cardiovascular events in this particular patient population: diabetic individuals with a particular variant of the haptoglobin gene.

Find more details from American Technion Society.

[In Photo: Nature Made Vitamin E Softgels, 400 I.U., 300-Count Bottles (Pack of 2)]