As well as being one of the most popular vitamins, Vitamin E is also an antioxidant and so plays an important part in the prevention of age related diseases. Vitamin E comes in a variety of compounds including alpha-, beta-, delta-, and gamma-tocopherol and alpha-, beta-, delta- and gamma-tocotrienols. The tocopherols are the most active and usually the ones found in supplements. Be sure that the Vitamin E you get is in a natural form. Synthetics absorb only 1/8 to 1/2 as much as their natural counterpart.
Antioxidant: As an important antioxidant, Vitamin E has shown in studies to prolong the useful life of our cells. Studies show that human cells grown in a medium enriched with extra Vitamin E divided and lived much longer than those grown in ordinary cultured mediums.
Cancer: Hundreds of studies have shown that vitamins play an important role in cancer prevention. Evidence also indicates that in studies with existing cancer patients that those receiving optimal amounts of vitamin E during treatment showed an enhanced ability to protect the non cancerous cells from the damaging effects of chemotherapy while not effecting the cancerous ones. Thus Vitamin E reduced the drugs side effects without reducing their effectiveness.
Heart Disease: Still being studied are the effects of Vitamin E on blood circulation, but it does seem to help. Some evidence exists that Vitamin E will increase the levels of high density lipoproteins (HDL, the good guys) While these studies are being evaluated the other wonderful effects of this vitamin make it a staple in your supplementation plan.
Immune Support: Vitamin E has been shown in animal and human studies to improve resistance to diseases. Most notably in the autoimmune disease rheumatiod arthritis. One study showed that in patients whose regular treatment was no longer effective taking Vitamin E and selenium joint pain diminished or disapeared completely. In another study 1/2 of the patients with osteoarthritis reported pain relief and reduced inflamation after taking Vitamin E.
Nervous System: Another place where Vitamin E shines. Certain children with progressive neuromuscular disease were shown to have Vitamin E deficiencies. There are some promising studies in older patients of Vitamin E and neurological problems and in treating Parkinsons Disease.
Optimal Daily Intake: 300-600 IU
