Unfortunately, experts say that research has not supported this concept. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, studies have shown that vitamin E supplements do not decrease the risk of breast cancer, lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, or colorectal cancer. However, researchers have found that combining vitamin E with vitamins A and C in a supplement might be a helpful protector against colon cancer in people with colorectal adenomas.

In addition, there are mixed studies regarding vitamin E and prostate cancer -- with some research showing a higher risk and others showing a lower risk in relation to vitamin E supplementation. That said, some evidence does reveal that combining vitamin E with the chemotherapy drug cisplatin during and after chemotherapy treatment could potentially lower risks of nerve damage associated with the drug.   

Researchers have also tried to determine if vitamin E can lower the risk of heart disease. Though results are mixed, a relatively recent study says that the answer may be yes when it comes to myocardial infarction. Those involved in this research say that vitamin E may reduce myocardial infarction. However, researchers discovered that this is only true when vitamin E supplementation is used alone as opposed to being used in combination with other antioxidants.

Vitamin E can also be beneficial to the eyes. According to the American Optometric Association (AOA), research shows that vitamin E can slow the progression of two common eye diseases: age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataracts.

Researchers involved with the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) discovered that high doses of a combination of antioxidant vitamins and zinc can reduce the risk of advanced AMD by 25 percent. This combination included: vitamin E, vitamin C, beta-carotene, and zinc.  In addition, this power-packed combination lowered the risk of vision loss due to advanced AMD by nearly 20 percent in those with intermediate or advanced AMD in just one eye. However, this combination did not benefit those with no or early stage AMD.