Washington - According to press reports, the researchers at Johns Hopkins University, taking vitamin E health in excess can create a serious health problem with little or no advantage. The researchers have concluded that use of high-dose vitamin of E in excess of 400 IU (international units), is associated with a higher overall risk of dying.

According to sources at the Hopkins, its team is scheduled to present their findings at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2004 in New Orleans, La., with simultaneous publication of their study in the Annals of Internal Medicine online to-day.

The excerpts of their views as reported in press are:

"Our study results do not support the use of high-dose vitamin E supplements. If people are taking a multivitamin, they should make sure it contains no more than a low dose of vitamin E," lead author Edgar R. Miller III, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of medicine at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, was quoted as saying.

"A lot of people take vitamins because they believe it will benefit their health in the long term and prolong life. But our study shows that use of high-dose vitamin E supplements certainly did not prolong life, but was associated with a higher risk of death," he added.

"Additional research is needed to determine the effects, if any, of low-dose levels of vitamin E supplements. As well, there are unresolved questions on the benefits of vitamin E when combined with other antioxidants," Miller further said.