Vitamin E - beyond the antioxidant effects

07/08/03 - Vitamin E may be more important for its anti-inflammatory and cardiovascular benefits than its antioxidant activity, suggest authors of a recent Harvard Medical School publication.

While evidence has failed to confirm the ability of antioxidant vitamins to reduce cardiovascular disease and risk of heart attack, vitamin E could promote heart health through other properties, notes the report, 'The Benefits and Risks of Vitamins and Minerals: What You Need to Know'.

Vitamin E can inhibit inflammation and also has the ability to produce muscle cells, both of which help prevent narrowing of blood vessels and therefore have a preventative effect on people at risk of heart attack.

A study published in Circulation earlier this year demonstrated the role of vitamin E in the slowing down of atherosclerosis.

The report, which claims that two out of five Americans take a vitamin or mineral supplement regularly, considers how much evidence there is to prove the benefits of vitamins and their value as a supplement to the diet.

The publication also reported on vitamin E's role as one of four fat-soluble vitamins, along with vitamin A, D and K, which keep cells healthy and benefit the eyes, skin, lungs, gastrointestinal tract and nervous system. "Without vitamin E, your body would have difficulty absorbing and storing vitamin A," which keeps cells healthy and protects vision, it said.

The report is prepared by the editors of the Harvard Health Letter and Dr Meir J. Stampfer, professor of Epidemiology and Nutrition at Harvard School of Public Health. It includes a chart listing the recommended daily amount of vitamins and minerals and details on antioxidants, fish oil, and phytochemicals.

Source: Circulation 2003; vol.107:947-953

 

» print friendly version

Other items related to 'NutriFacts'

Magnesium may decrease colon cancer risk

Vitamin D plus calcium may protect everyone from fracture: Study

Multivitamins may cut lung cancer risk in smokers

Vitamin E may boost brain health after stroke

Vitamins and minerals may slash bladder cancer risk

Know the Difference between Cold and H1N1 Flu Symptoms

Physicians recommend supplements to their patients

Antioxidant vitamins may protect against female cancer

Symposium details Calcium-Vitamin D fracture potential

Teen soy intake linked to lower breast cancer risk

Multivitamins linked to younger ‘biological age’: Study

Vitamin D good for brains and lungs, say new studies

Dermatologists recommend vitamin D supplements

Seaweed kills cancer cells and HIV virus

Mineral Health Benefits

Mineral Depletion of Soils

Brown Seaweed May Burn Away Fat

Brown Seaweed fights Obesity

Remineralisation vital for future of food

Zinc May Reduce Infant Mortality

Vitamin C May Reduce Frequency of Common Cold

Folate May Cut Stroke Risk in Women

Is Vitamin E safe?

Calcium, Vitamin D Prevent Crohn’s Bone Loss

Walk ten thousand miles with sea vegetation!

Iron Deficiency Contributes to ADHD

Calcium reduces cancer risk

Flu shots in short supply: BUILD YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM FOR WINTER

FDA Ephedra Action

Why Wachters' Works!

Time Magazine says "Eat Your Weedies"

Seaweed contains natural antibiotic

Healthy vs Unhealthy Colon

ASPARTAME

Multi-vitamin and mineral supplements

Cardiovascular Health

SARS

Body Mass Indicator (BMI)

NutriFact: Stress

Chlorophyll

Intestinal Health

Anti-Oxidants, the Real Fountain of Youth?

Should You Be Taking A Multi-Vitamin?

FDA Appoves New Health Claim for Soy Protein and Coronary Heart Disease

Seaweed Fights Radiation

Back to the channel list

Created: Tuesday July 8, 2003 11:01pm