There's been a great deal of research done and an abundance of data that suggests that vitamin E supplementation does not play a role in reducing the chance of heart attack. However, a new study points to underdosing as the reason for the vitamin's repeated failure.

Oxidative stress occurs when free radicals damage cellular proteins, fats and DNA. Though free radicals are byproducts or normal metabolism, they are also produced in excess when the body is in certain disease states, heart disease not withstanding. Researchers conducted animal studies to determine if vitamin E (and other antioxidant compounds) could offer some protection against heart attack in individuals with excessive free radical damage. However, subsequent studies on vitamin E revealed that almost no benefit came from its consumption.

But, researchers are now suggesting that in this earlier clinical trials, test subjects were not given large enough doses of vitamin E for it to show any effect. Upon upping the dosage to 1600 IU per day (which is twice that was used in the earlier studies), the test subjects showed a significant reduction in oxidative stress.