Supplement may boost pneumonia risk in smokers

Researchers say the findings add to evidence that people should be cautious about taking vitamin E to ward off chronic disease.

In this latest study, which is published in the Nutrition Journal, researchers focused on nearly 22,000 male smokers between the ages of 50 and 69. They found that vitamin E raised the risk of pneumonia in people who were also taking high levels of vitamin C.

In men who weighed less than 130 pounds vitamin E raised the risk of pneumonia by 61 percent. In men over 220 pounds the supplement more than doubled men's pneumonia risk.

Doctors are advising people to avoid taking extra vitamin E.

Experts recommend 15 milligrams daily from vegetable oils, nuts and fortified cereals.