Vitamin E

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What is Vitamin E?

Vitamin E is one of the many types of nutrient-rich antioxidants available to us in both food and supplemental form. This powerful, fat-soluble, lipid-based vitamin helps heal and block the damage created by free-radicals in the body’s natural processes of digestion and cellular repair. Overtime, high levels of free-radical buildup can speed up our natural aging process, as well as increase our chances for developing an inflammatory condition, heart disease and even cancer.

Mechanisms of Action in Vitamin E

When we say the word “Vitamin E,” what we are really referring to is a group of eight different antioxidants that are eight different forms isomers of Vitamin E. Vitamin E contains four types of tocotrienols:

• alpha-tocotrienol
• beta-tocotrienol
• gamma-tocotrienol
• delta-tocotrienol

And four types of tocopherols:

• alpha-tocopherol
• beta-tocopherol
• gamma-tocopherol
• delta-tocopherol

Of these eight components, alpha-tocopherol is the only form of vitamin E which is maintained in the human body. For this reason, it is the alpha-tocopherol isomer which holds much of the nutritional and preventative significance of Vitamin E. It is an important lipid-soluble antioxidant, helpful in holding cell membranes together through an active anti-oxidation mechanism. Other elements within vitamin E, such as gamma-tocopherol, are also helpful in protecting our neurons from oxidative damage. The tocotrienol elements may also play an important role in maintaining arterial health. Many of the lipid-soluble mechanisms of action in vitamin E may help prevent cancer, reduce cholesterol and help arthritis.

Synthetic versus Natural?

When taking vitamin E as a supplement, it’s best to buy only the natural form, as the synthetic form of vitamin E is only half as potent as the natural form. The synthetic form will be labeled “dl” and the natural form as “d” (for example, d-alpha tocopherol is the natural form, whereas dl-alpha tocopherol is the synthetic form). It is also important when shopping for a vitamin E supplement to look for a mixed tocopherol/tocotrienol supplement to obtain the full benefits of the supplement. Many of the commercially available forms supplements are the alpha-tocopherol form of vitamin E, and most do not contain the gamma-tocopherol form, which offers unique benefits. There are also studies showing that taking vitamin E in conjunction with selenium may increase its metabolic and immune-boosting properties.

Health Benefits of Vitamin E

In general, vitamin E reduces oxidative stress in the body. Studies have shown a link between many of diseases and oxidative stress. Intake of vitamin E may also be beneficial for coating our cell walls with a protective layer of lipids, diminishing the aging process in our tissues. It may also help in reducing the negative effects of environmental pollutants and food-toxins in our bodies.

Here are a few ways in which vitamin E may help in the prevention and treatment of specific common ailments and diseases:

Alzheimer's Disease: Some studies have linked Alzheimer’s to oxidative cellular damage, so the anti-oxidative effects of vitamin E could help in this regard. Studies have also shown that vitamin E may improve mental focus in healthy individuals. It may also aid in treating depression, and increase concentration in individuals with dementia.

Prevents cardiovascular disease: Researchers have found that oxidative changes to LDL-Cholesterol (“bad” cholesterol) may promote blockages in coronary arteries (blood clots). Vitamin E’s anti-oxidative properties help limit the amount of oxidation to the LDL blocking the conversion of cholesterol into artery plaque (fat deposits on our blood vessel walls). One study done on 90,000 hospital nurses showed that nurses taking the highest levels of vitamin E had up to 40% less indices of heart disease.

Aids in metabolic processes such as immune function and DNA repair. Helps to fight infections and disease.

Menopausal and Post-menopausal benefits: Large studies have shown that vitamin E may reduce the incidence of stroke in postmenopausal women. Vitamin E has also been shown to aid in easing hot flashes and macular degeneration, as well as cardiovascular disease in menopausal women.

Possible cancer prevention: Oftentimes, individuals with cancer have lower levels of vitamin E. Studies have suggested that eating a diet high in antioxidants, including vitamin E, might be linked to lowered incidence of colon, breast and prostate cancer.

Osteoarthritis: A few studies have shown that the use of vitamin E may be helpful in pain-relief by reducing inflammation in osteoarthritis patients.

Eye health: Vitamin E reduces the inflammation in the uvea of the eye. This may aid in maintaining visual clarity, as well as reducing your chances of cataracts and macular degeneration.

Prevents inflammatory diseases such as pancreatitis, arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease.

Eases premenstrual symptoms such as breast swelling and tenderness.

Incorporating Vitamin E into Your Daily Diet

One of the best ways of getting more of this antioxidant vitamin into your body is through the foods you eat on a daily basis. The most common foods containing high levels of vitamin E are green leafy vegetables, vegetable oils, cereals, and nuts.

The following foods are especially high in vitamin E:

• Wheat germ oil
• Spinach
• Kiwi fruit
• Tomatoes
• Dandelion Greens
• Bran-based Cereals
• Hazelnuts
• Broccoli
• Almonds
• Fish
• Mango
• Sunflower seeds
• Beet Greens
• Sunflower and Safflower oil

Possible Risks Associated with Vitamin E Consumption

According to the Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine, healthy adults can take a maximum of 1,000 mg of vitamin E daily. When taken in foods, there is no evidence of any risks in over-consumption of vitamin E. However, vitamin E as a supplement may cause allergic reactions when combined with other medications. Extremely high doses can interfere with the body’s use of other vitamins, and experimentally-induced toxicity levels have shown increased clotting times. If you are taking any medications, consult with your physician or pharmacist before consuming vitamin E in a supplement form.

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