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Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that prevents the
oxidation of lipids. Since cell membranes are composed of lipids, it
effectively prevents the cells' protective coatings from becoming
rancid as a result of the assault of free radicals. Vitamin E also
improves oxygen utilization, enhances immune response, plays a role in
the prevention of cataracts caused by free radical damage, and may
reduce the risk of coronary artery disease.
New evidence suggests that zinc is needed to maintain normal blood
concentrations of vitamin E. Selenium enhances vitamin E uptake. These
nutrients work well when taken together.
Studies Conclude Vitamin E
Reduces Heart Attack Risk:
Can eating peanuts reduce your risk of a heart
attack?
Well, if you eat enough of them. Vitamin E, found in
peanuts, can play an important role in reducing heart
disease cases, however, say reports released recently by
the American Heart Association, the American Journal of
Clinical Nutrition and the New England Journal of
Medicine. Food probably isn't the best source of vitamin
E , however. Researchers recommend pill vitamin E supplements instead.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge in England
conducted a study of 2,000 patients with heart disease.
Consuming Vitamin E supplements reduced the disease
by 75%, said Dr. Jan Breslow, American Heart
Association president. "Now we can confidently
say that Vitamin E protects against heart attacks, "
said Professor Morris Brown, lead researcher on the
Cambridge study. "I will be recommending that
patients with angina and those who are at risk of heart
disease should be given supplementary vitamin E at high
dose, " he concluded.
A University of Minnesota
School of Health study published in the New England
Journal of Medicine and a National Institute of Aging
(Bethesda, Md.) study published in The American Journal
of Clinical Nutrition both support these findings.
Supplements appear to be significantly healthier sources
of Vitamin E than food, says the National Institute of
Aging study. "Dietary sources high in vitamin E
are often high in fat," says the study.
"To
get 100 IU (international units) daily, a person would
have to consume 7 cups of peanuts,
2 cups of corn oil or
19 cups of spinach," it explained.
Vitamin E is also known as:
Alpha Tococpherol, D-tococpherol, Tococpherol, Mixed
tococpherols
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