Vitamin
E (d-alpha tocopherol) Information
Vitamin E (d-alpha tocopherol) Information
By: Dr. George Obikoya
Vitamin E is a fat soluble antioxidant vitamin
that helps to neutralize potentially damaging free radicals in our
body. It exists in eight different forms, d-alpha-tocopherol being
the most active form and one of the most powerful biologically active
antioxidants. Each form has a different level of potency (functional
use) in the body. The tocopherol and tocotrienol subfamilies are
each composed of alpha, beta, gamma and delta vitamins having unique
biological effects, with generally declining activity; e.g. delta
is far less active than the alpha form.
As a supplement, Vitamin E has a number of health benefits for the
body. Vitamin E is particularly important for the protection of
our cell membranes as well as keeping your skin, heart and circulation,
nerves, muscles and red blood cells healthy. Antioxidants such as
vitamin E protect your cells against the effects of dangerous free
radicals, potentially damaging by-products of your body’s metabolism.
Free radicals can cause cell damage that may lead to the development
of cardiovascular disease and cancer.
One or more members of the vitamin E family may also reduce cellular
aging, inhibit the potentially damaging peroxynitrite radical, inhibit
melanoma (skin cancer) cell growth, prevent abnormal blood clotting,
synergize with vitamin A to protect the lungs against pollutants,
protect nervous system and retina, lower the risk of ischemic and
coronary heart disease, lower the risk of certain kinds of cancer,
protect immune function and reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease,
particularly if high doses are taken in combination with vitamin
C. Vitamins E, A, and C can all be found in a good liquid multivitamin.
Vitamin E also may block the formation of nitrosamines, which are
carcinogens formed in the stomach from nitrites consumed in the
diet. It also may protect you against the development of cancers
by enhancing immune function. Some evidence links higher intake
of vitamin E with a decreased incidence of prostate cancer and breast
cancer. As you can tell, Vitamin E is a very beneficial
vitamin!
Gamma tocopherol is only 10 to 30% as strong as alpha tocopherol,
yet recent studies have shown it to be essential for maintaining
the health of our cell membranes, especially if alpha tocopherol
is being supplemented. New studies continue to elucidate the unique
benefits of individual members of the vitamin E family. For example,
tocotrienols have been shown to lower cholesterol, prevent LDL oxidation,
and reduce atherosclerotic plaque formation more effectively than
tocopherols. For these and other reasons, the original definition
of vitamin E now includes all eight family members and the related
compounds that convert to them in the body.
Cataracts, growths on the lens of our eye that cloud vision, increase
the risk of disability and blindness in aging adults. Antioxidants
may prevent or delay cataract growth. Studies have shown that lens
clarity, which is used to diagnose cataracts, was better in regular
users of liquid vitamin E supplements and in persons with higher
blood levels of vitamin E.1
100 IU or more of supplemental vitamin E a day has been shown to
reduce the risk of heart attacks in healthy people. If you have
pre-existing coronary artery disease it is recommended you take
800 to 1600 IU a day of Vitamin E. Vitamin E also may help prevent
the formation of blood clots, which could lead to a heart attack.
Studies have linked lower rates of heart disease with higher vitamin
E intake.
Low-fat diets can substantially decrease vitamin E intakes if food
choices are not carefully made to enhance alpha-tocopherol intakes.
If you are taking anti-clotting medication, consult with your doctor
before taking Vitamin E. Ingestion of total vitamin E products in
excess of 1200 IU daily may interfere with absorption and metabolism
of vitamins A and K.
Abetalipoproteinemia is a rare inherited disorder of fat metabolism
that results in poor absorption of dietary fat and vitamin E Individuals
with abetalipoproteinemia may be prescribed special vitamin E supplements
by a physician to treat this disorder.
Some prefer cold-water dispersible dry powder vitamin E supplements
in the form of alpha tocopheryl succinate or acetate because the
cold-water dispersible forms are efficiently absorbed even when
taken on an empty stomach or with a low-fat meal. Note that the
non-cold water dispersible (oil) forms of vitamin E may be poorly
absorbed unless taken with several grams of fats or oils.
Cold-water dispersible vitamin E is twice as expensive as soybean
oil E-acetate, but (no surprise here) the cold-water dispersible
forms are more efficiently absorbed. It is important that you know
how well the vitamin E you are about to buy absorbs into the bloodstream.
Liquid vitamin forms absorb 5 times better than do pill forms. Cold-water
dispersible vitamin E, whether in a succinate or acetate form, always
comes in a white dry powder, while noncold-water dispersible natural
and synthetic acetate forms of vitamin E are always in thick brown
oil.
Vitamin E deficiency is rare in humans although likely to occur
under certain specific situations; namely, when an individual cannot
absorb dietary fat, was born premature, is a very low birth weight
infants (birth weights less than 1500 grams, or 3 1/2 pounds), and
in individuals with rare disorders of fat metabolism . A vitamin
E deficiency is usually characterized by neurological problems due
to poor nerve conduction. The greater problem by far is not a gross
deficiency but low vitamin E levels over many decades. This is one
of the reasons that people get diseases and other maladies!
Vitamin E is one of the most beneficial vitamins for you. It is
important that you take it or find a way to obtain it through foods
daily to ensure that you derive the most benefit from this all-important
vitamin. This is more so if you cannot absorb fat or are on a low
fat diet as some dietary fat is needed for the absorption of vitamin
E from the gastrointestinal tract. You will also need additional
vitamin E supplements if you are diagnosed with cystic fibrosis,
have had part or all of your stomach removed, or have malabsorption
problems such as Crohn’s disease. People who cannot absorb fat often
pass greasy stools or have chronic diarrhea, called steatorrhea.
Lastly, it is important to note that Vitamin E
is naturally an oil, and is (compared to other nutrients) a bit
expensive so many pill based multivitamins skimp and give you a
very small amount (40 - 60 IU's) of vitamin E a day. Your average
Centrum Performance gives you just 60 IU's a day - so consider extra
supplementation or find a high quality multivitamin that gives you
400 IU's instead of just 40 or 60. Why? As just one example, the
clinical benefits of Vitamin E's protective effect against Alzheimer's
disease does not appear until at least 400 IU's a day, even though
the US RDA is just 30 IU's per day.
A good multivitamin is the foundation of health
and nutrition. Take a look at our scientific reviews of many of
the popular brands for factors such as ingredients, areas of improvement,
quality level, and overall value. If you are looking for a high
quality liquid multivitamin, we suggest that you take a look at
the Multivitamin
Product Comparisons.
VITAPLEN™ contains 30 IU's of Vitamin E and 165 scientifically formulated
nutrients--all in a highly absorbable liquid formula.
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