Improvement after a supplement is not the same as a comparative result
Start with the comparison. A before-and-after change alone cannot isolate the contribution of an ingredient.
Vitamin E
Selected research topic
Men's health
Findings differ across measurements or study conditions. The results below keep them separate.
Findings from a combination study cannot be attributed to this ingredient alone.
Animal and cell findings do not establish the same effect in people.
Some findings concern patients or people with a deficiency.
- Publications for this topic
- 15
- Human comparison publications
- 3
- Publications needing review
- 2
Findings in the studies
IVF outcomes
- No clear difference from the comparison group was found.Patient group · Single ingredient · Eight weeks
Measurement and study conditions
- Study type
- Randomized controlled trial: subjects were randomly assigned to groups for comparison.
- Study population
- Human participants · Patient group
- Ingredients tested
- Single ingredient
- How results were compared
- Results were compared between groups. · Study comparison: Vitamin E versus placebo in men; within-person pre/post semen measures
- Additional measurement information
- Secondary outcome
- Measurement time
- Eight weeks
Outcome needs clarification
About this measure
Original outcome name: SDF
- Results were mixed for this outcome.
Several ingredients were tested together, so this ingredient’s individual effect is unknown.
Patient group · Combination studyMeasurement and study conditions
- Study type
- Randomized controlled trial: subjects were randomly assigned to groups for comparison.
- Study population
- Human participants · Patient group
- Ingredients tested
- Ingredient combination
- How results were compared
- Results were compared between groups. · Between-group comparison
- Additional measurement information
- Primary outcome
- Measurement time
- study follow-up duration not specified
sperm motility
Human comparison research
- A better result than the comparison group was reported.
What the comparison group used was not confirmed.
Patient group · Single ingredientMeasurement and study conditions
- Study type
- Randomized controlled trial: subjects were randomly assigned to groups for comparison.
- Study population
- Human participants · Patient group
- Ingredients tested
- Single ingredient
- How results were compared
- Results were compared between groups.
- Measurement time
- Not confirmed.
Other human research, including observational studies and reviews
- A change was reported before and after use. Its cause cannot be isolated.Patient group · Single ingredient
Measurement and study conditions
- Study type
- Clinical trial
- Study population
- Human participants · Patient group
- Ingredients tested
- Single ingredient
- How results were compared
- Changes within the same group were compared. · Study comparison: Within-treatment observation; comparator for motility not reported
- Additional measurement information
- Secondary outcome
- Measurement time
- Not confirmed.
Animal and cell research · indirect evidence
- A change was reported in animal or cell research.
Several ingredients were tested together, so this ingredient’s individual effect is unknown.
Combination study · 75 minutesMeasurement and study conditions
- Study type
- Controlled trial
- Study population
- This is cell research. The specific characteristics of the subjects need further review.
- Ingredients tested
- Ingredient combination
- How results were compared
- Results were compared between groups. · Study comparison: First supplement mixture vs control
- Measurement time
- 75 minutes
concentration of seminal fluid
Other human research, including observational studies and reviews
- A change was reported before and after use. Its cause cannot be isolated.
Several ingredients were tested together, so this ingredient’s individual effect is unknown.
Patient group · Combination study · after 3 monthsMeasurement and study conditions
- Study type
- Controlled trial
- Study population
- Human participants · Patient group
- Ingredients tested
- Ingredient combination
- How results were compared
- Changes within the same group were compared. · Study comparison: pre-test versus post-test after the multi-ingredient vitamin/mineral regimen; no between-group compa
- Additional measurement information
- Primary outcome
- Measurement time
- after 3 months
Other measured outcomes (10)
count
Other human research, including observational studies and reviews
- A change was reported before and after use. Its cause cannot be isolated.Patient group · Single ingredient · Eight weeks
Measurement and study conditions
- Study type
- Randomized controlled trial: subjects were randomly assigned to groups for comparison.
- Study population
- Human participants · Patient group
- Ingredients tested
- Single ingredient
- How results were compared
- Changes within the same group were compared. · Study comparison: Vitamin E versus placebo in men; within-person pre/post semen measures
- Additional measurement information
- Secondary outcome
- Measurement time
- Eight weeks
morphology
Other human research, including observational studies and reviews
- A change was reported before and after use. Its cause cannot be isolated.Patient group · Single ingredient · Eight weeks
Measurement and study conditions
- Study type
- Randomized controlled trial: subjects were randomly assigned to groups for comparison.
- Study population
- Human participants · Patient group
- Ingredients tested
- Single ingredient
- How results were compared
- Changes within the same group were compared. · Study comparison: Vitamin E versus placebo in men; within-person pre/post semen measures
- Additional measurement information
- Secondary outcome
- Measurement time
- Eight weeks
motility
Other human research, including observational studies and reviews
- A change was reported before and after use. Its cause cannot be isolated.Patient group · Single ingredient · Eight weeks
Measurement and study conditions
- Study type
- Randomized controlled trial: subjects were randomly assigned to groups for comparison.
- Study population
- Human participants · Patient group
- Ingredients tested
- Single ingredient
- How results were compared
- Changes within the same group were compared. · Study comparison: Vitamin E versus placebo in men; within-person pre/post semen measures
- Additional measurement information
- Secondary outcome
- Measurement time
- Eight weeks
rate of normal semen analysis results
Other human research, including observational studies and reviews
- A change was reported, but the comparison could not be confirmed.
Several ingredients were tested together, so this ingredient’s individual effect is unknown.
Patient group · Combination studyMeasurement and study conditions
- Study type
- Other evidence
- Study population
- Human participants · Patient group
- Ingredients tested
- Ingredient combination
- Measurement time
- Not confirmed.
sperm concentration
Other human research, including observational studies and reviews
- A change was reported before and after use. Its cause cannot be isolated.
Several ingredients were tested together, so this ingredient’s individual effect is unknown.
Patient group · Combination study · 3 monthsMeasurement and study conditions
- Study type
- Clinical trial
- Study population
- Human participants · Patient group
- Ingredients tested
- Ingredient combination
- How results were compared
- Changes within the same group were compared. · Study comparison: Within-participant pre/post treatment; no between-group comparator
- Additional measurement information
- Secondary outcome
- Measurement time
- 3 months
- A change was reported before and after use. Its cause cannot be isolated.
Several ingredients were tested together, so this ingredient’s individual effect is unknown.
Patient group · Combination study · 3 monthsMeasurement and study conditions
- Study type
- Clinical trial
- Study population
- Human participants · Patient group
- Ingredients tested
- Ingredient combination
- How results were compared
- Changes within the same group were compared. · Study comparison: Within-person change from baseline after combination formulation
- Additional measurement information
- Secondary outcome
- Measurement time
- 3 months
sperm morphology
Other human research, including observational studies and reviews
- A change was reported, but the comparison could not be confirmed.
Several ingredients were tested together, so this ingredient’s individual effect is unknown.
Combination studyMeasurement and study conditions
- Study type
- Randomized controlled trial: subjects were randomly assigned to groups for comparison.
- Study population
- Human participants · Participant characteristics were not confirmed.
- Ingredients tested
- Ingredient combination
- Measurement time
- Not confirmed.
Sperm viability
Other human research, including observational studies and reviews
- A change was reported, but the comparison could not be confirmed.Single ingredient
Measurement and study conditions
- Study type
- Clinical trial
- Study population
- Human participants · Participant characteristics were not confirmed.
- Ingredients tested
- Single ingredient
- Measurement time
- Not confirmed.
sperm volume
Other human research, including observational studies and reviews
- A change was reported before and after use. Its cause cannot be isolated.Patient group · Single ingredient · Eight weeks
Measurement and study conditions
- Study type
- Randomized controlled trial: subjects were randomly assigned to groups for comparison.
- Study population
- Human participants · Patient group
- Ingredients tested
- Single ingredient
- How results were compared
- Changes within the same group were compared. · Study comparison: Vitamin E versus placebo in men; within-person pre/post semen measures
- Additional measurement information
- Secondary outcome
- Measurement time
- Eight weeks
post-thawing motility
Animal and cell research · indirect evidence
- A change was reported in animal or cell research.
Several ingredients were tested together, so this ingredient’s individual effect is unknown.
Combination studyMeasurement and study conditions
- Study type
- Controlled trial
- Study population
- This is animal research. The specific characteristics of the subjects need further review.
- Ingredients tested
- Ingredient combination
- How results were compared
- Comparison unclear · Study comparison: Beta-carotene plus alpha-tocopherol extender condition; abstract reports no effect on motility
- Additional measurement information
- Secondary outcome
- Measurement time
- After cryopreservation and thawing
serum testosterone
Animal and cell research · indirect evidence
- A change was reported in animal or cell research.
Several ingredients were tested together, so this ingredient’s individual effect is unknown.
Combination study · 28 daysMeasurement and study conditions
- Study type
- Controlled trial
- Study population
- This is animal research. The specific characteristics of the subjects need further review.
- Ingredients tested
- Ingredient combination
- How results were compared
- Results were compared between groups. · Study comparison: tramadol plus vitamin E did not attenuate the reported testicular impairment relative to tramadol ex
- Additional measurement information
- Primary outcome
- Measurement time
- 28 days
This result is held for interpretation. That does not mean research found no effect.
Outcome groups needing additional review (2)
- DNA-fragmented spermatozoa · Distinct papers needing additional review: 1Direction unclear: 1
- testosterone · Distinct papers needing additional review: 1Direction unclear: 1
One paper can appear under multiple measured outcomes or review reasons, so these counts should not be added together.
Representative outcome and study details
Human studies reported both between-group improvement and a within-group change for sperm motility; while Cell studies reported between-group improvement in sperm motility.
These conditions come from related studies and may not describe a single paper.
single- and combination-ingredient studies · Individual ingredient effects cannot be separated · Cell or in-vitro studies; indirect evidence · Includes human studies · Includes patient groups · between-group comparison · within-group comparison
3 publications linked to this result
- Study conditions differ; results are shown descriptively and are not pooled.
- Combination, formula, or class studies do not isolate this ingredient or establish synergy.
- Animal and cell findings are indirect evidence.
Data coverage and detailed study classifications
Paper counts are separated by research topic below. One paper may contribute to multiple findings.
Analysis status: Public-ready
Ingredient analysis date:
How the grade was determined: C
The 31.7 evidence score includes 0 independent human studies and 0 clinical studies in the representative benefit area. The C tier remains conservative because of limited repetition across independent human clinical studies, too few clinical findings with an explicit effect direction.
The grade is based mainly on the research area with the most evidence. It does not mean the same result was found in other areas.
Papers linked to this ingredient overall: 131
Papers linked to this topic 15 · distinct papers 15 · papers with a confirmed human comparison 3 · papers needing additional review 2
A publication may appear in more than one count. These numbers should not be added. Ingredient-wide papers, topic-linked papers, and sources in outcome groups use different scopes. Adding source counts may count the same paper more than once.
- concentration of seminal fluid: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 0
- count: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 0
- DNA-fragmented spermatozoa: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 0
- IVF outcomes: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 1
- morphology: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 0
- motility: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 0
- post-thawing motility: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 0
- rate of normal semen analysis results: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 0
- SDF: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 1
- serum testosterone: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 0
- sperm concentration: Sources represented in this measurement group: 2 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 0
- sperm morphology: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 0
- sperm motility: Sources represented in this measurement group: 3 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 1
- Sperm viability: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 0
- sperm volume: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 0
- testosterone: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 0
What the research found
count
A change was reported before and after use. Its cause cannot be isolated.
Controlled study in people · Single ingredient · Patient group
Within-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
IVF outcomes
No clear difference in this measurement was found between the compared groups.
Controlled study in people · Single ingredient · Patient group
Between-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
morphology
A change was reported before and after use. Its cause cannot be isolated.
Controlled study in people · Single ingredient · Patient group
Within-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
motility
A change was reported before and after use. Its cause cannot be isolated.
Controlled study in people · Single ingredient · Patient group
Within-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
SDF
Results for this measurement were mixed; no consistent conclusion can be drawn.
Controlled study in people · Ingredient combination · Patient group
Several ingredients were used together. This does not establish the effect of this ingredient alone or synergy.
Between-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
sperm volume
A change was reported before and after use. Its cause cannot be isolated.
Controlled study in people · Single ingredient · Patient group
Within-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
concentration of seminal fluid
A change was reported before and after use. Its cause cannot be isolated.
Controlled study in people · Ingredient combination · Patient group
Several ingredients were used together. This does not establish the effect of this ingredient alone or synergy.
Within-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
sperm motility
The study reported improvement in this measurement.
Controlled study in people · Single ingredient · Patient group
Between-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
sperm concentration
A change was reported before and after use. Its cause cannot be isolated.
Other evidence · Ingredient combination · Patient group
Several ingredients were used together. This does not establish the effect of this ingredient alone or synergy.
Within-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
sperm concentration
A change was reported before and after use. Its cause cannot be isolated.
Other evidence · Ingredient combination · Patient group
Several ingredients were used together. This does not establish the effect of this ingredient alone or synergy.
Within-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
sperm motility
A change was reported before and after use. Its cause cannot be isolated.
Other evidence · Single ingredient · Patient group
Within-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
rate of normal semen analysis results
A change was reported, but the comparison could not be confirmed.
Other evidence · Ingredient combination · Patient group
Several ingredients were used together. This does not establish the effect of this ingredient alone or synergy.
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
sperm morphology
A change was reported, but the comparison could not be confirmed.
Controlled study in people · Ingredient combination · Unspecified population
Several ingredients were used together. This does not establish the effect of this ingredient alone or synergy.
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
Sperm viability
A change was reported, but the comparison could not be confirmed.
Other evidence · Single ingredient · Unspecified population
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
post-thawing motility
A change was reported in animal or cell research.
Animal study · indirect · Ingredient combination · General population
This finding comes from animal or cell research. It does not establish the same effect in people.
Several ingredients were used together. This does not establish the effect of this ingredient alone or synergy.
The comparison could not be confirmed.
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
serum testosterone
A change was reported in animal or cell research.
Animal study · indirect · Ingredient combination · Patient group
This finding comes from animal or cell research. It does not establish the same effect in people.
Several ingredients were used together. This does not establish the effect of this ingredient alone or synergy.
Between-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
sperm motility
A change was reported in animal or cell research.
Cell study · indirect · Ingredient combination · Patient group
This finding comes from animal or cell research. It does not establish the same effect in people.
Several ingredients were used together. This does not establish the effect of this ingredient alone or synergy.
Between-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
DNA-fragmented spermatozoa
The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.
Controlled study in people · Ingredient combination · Patient group
Several ingredients were used together. This does not establish the effect of this ingredient alone or synergy.
Within-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
1 papers held from direction counts
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
testosterone
The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.
Observational study · Unknown intervention · General population
The comparison could not be confirmed.
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
1 papers held from direction counts
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
How to read research findings
How should I read research findings?
Research guidesNo clear difference and an uninterpretable result are different
A reported null comparison contains a result. An abstract without an interpretable comparison leaves a question unresolved.
Paper counts and study counts are different
Count original research separately from research that reanalyzes it. Publication volume is neither replication nor a quality rating.
Side effects and combination findings
Findings from this ingredient alone are shown separately from those involving another supplement or medication.
No reviewed caution rules are available yet. Reported caution findings are shown below.
Review 2 combination findings and 0 findings that outperformed an ingredient alone.
Findings to review with care
Side effects reported for the ingredient alone are separated from findings involving another supplement or medication.
Cautions reported with another supplement or medication
These studies reported worsening outcomes, reduced absorption, or other cautions with combined use. They do not predict an individual's outcome.
와파린Vitamin E's anticoagulant effects amplify the risk of bleeding when combined with blood thinners like warfarin.
AspirinVitamin E's anticoagulant effects amplify the risk of bleeding when combined with blood thinners like aspirin.
Reported improvements with combinations
Combination findings are grouped by how the study compared them. This is not a recommendation to combine ingredients.
Combinations with reported improvement
The combination showed improvement, but each ingredient's contribution is unclear.
비타민 CIn a triple-blind RCT of 60 women with endometriosis, a combination of Vitamin C (1000 mg/day) and Vitamin E (800 IU/day) for 8 weeks significantly reduced pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, and dyspareunia compared to placebo.
인삼The combined supplement significantly improved the desire domain of the FSFI compared to placebo.