Vitamin E: One Main Mission
Vitamin E (tocopherols) are the most abundant fat-soluble antioxidant in the body. One of the most efficient chain-breaking antioxidants available, Vitamin E primarily defends against oxidation and lipid peroxidation, which is the creation of unstable molecules containing more oxygen than is usual. Research has demonstrated the broad role of vitamin E in promoting health. Vitamin E may affect aging, [12] infertility, [13] heart disease, [15] Alzheimer’s, [14] and diabetes. [12].
Vitamin E works together with other antioxidants, such as vitamin C, to offer protection from some chronic diseases. Evidence exists that vitamin E can help prevent atherosclerosis by interfering with the oxidation of low-density lipoproteins (LDL), a factor associated with increased risk of heart disease.
In 1993, The New England Journal of Medicine published two reports, which found that people who took vitamin E supplements had fewer deaths from heart disease. [16].
Another component of Vitamin E is tocotrienols. Tocotrienols are potent antioxidants which work against the damaging of fats by oxidation. [29,30]. Human studies have shown that, in addition to their antioxidant activity, tocotrienols have other important functions, especially in maintaining a healthy cardiovascular system. [31]. Test tube and animal studies indicate a possible role for tocotrienols in protecting against breast cancer and skin cancer.
Like vitamin E, tocotrienols may offer protection against atherosclerosis by preventing oxidative damage to LDL cholesterol. LDL cholesterol oxidation is believed to be one of the triggering factors for atherosclerosis. [32]. Vitamin E is found in vegetable oils, salad dressings, margarine, wheat germ, whole-grain products, sunflower seeds, cashew nuts, spinach, green peas, sweet potatoes, bean sprouts blackeyed peas, almonds and peanut butter. Recommended doses of Vitamin E tochopheryl are 400 IU before age 40 and 800IU from age 40 onward.
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12. Devaraj, S., Jialal, I. Alpha tocopherol supplementation decreases serum C-reactive protein and monocyte interleukin-6 levels in normal volunteers and type 2 diabetic patients. Free Radical Biology Med. 2000 Oct 15; 29(8): 790 2. 13. Devaraj, S., Jialal, I. Alpha tocopherol supplementation decreases serum C-reactive protein and monocyte interleukin-6 levels in normal volunteers and type 2 diabetic patients. Free Radical Biology Med. 2000 Oct 15; 29(8): 790 2. 14. Dr. Marianne J. Engelhart of the Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam, the Netherlands: Those with the highest intake of vitamin C and vitamin E from food appeared to be the least likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease. The Journal of the American Medical Association. 6/26/03 15. Meydani M. Vitamin E and prevention of heart disease in high-risk patients. Nutr Rev 2000;58:278-81. 16. 1993, The New England Journal of Medicine published two epidemiologic studies which found that people who took vitamin E supplements had fewer deaths from heart disease.
