| Most people are now familiar with the idea that vitamin | | | | important to look for the tocopherol form, usually |
| C may help protect against and mitigate the | | | | d-alpha tocopherol, which most closely replicates the |
| symptoms of the common cold, although this theory is | | | | naturally occurring form of the vitamin in foods such as |
| by no means universally accepted by orthodox | | | | wheatgerm, dairy produce oily fish and certain nuts |
| medical opinion. But there's now evidence that | | | | and seeds. |
| supplements of vitamin E may also play a role in | | | | As is well known, by far the best food sources of |
| reducing the incidence of infection; leading some | | | | vitamin C are fresh fruits and vegetables, especially |
| commentators to propose that combined supplements | | | | citrus fruits and juices. But to obtain the kind of intakes |
| of vitamins C and E may be highly effective both as | | | | generally recommended for optimal health and the |
| prevention and treatment. | | | | prevention of colds and other infections, which most |
| Various recent research studies have suggested that | | | | nutritional therapists set at least 1,000 mg (1gram) per |
| supplementation with 200 IU of vitamin E, or 1,000 mg | | | | day, it is probably necessary to supplement. |
| of vitamin C may reduce the incidence of colds by | | | | Fortunately, ascorbate, the manufactured form of |
| between 20 and 25%, although double-blind/placebo | | | | vitamin C, is highly effective, particularly when |
| experiments have not always been able to confirm | | | | combined with the plant bioflavonoids with which |
| these results. But even if one remains sceptical about | | | | vitamin C is commonly found in nature. Such |
| the value of vitamins E and C as weapons for | | | | supplements are readily available. |
| combatting the common cold specifically, there's no | | | | Vitamin C appears to be non-toxic in almost any |
| doubt that both are highly important in ensuring the | | | | quantity which could plausibly be ingested, the only |
| optimal health of the immune system in general, and | | | | reported side effect being diarrhea, and even this has |
| can therefore only be of value in warding off the | | | | been observed only in cases where tens of grams |
| worst effects of this annoying, albeit usually minor | | | | have been consumed on a daily basis. Somewhat |
| illness. | | | | more caution needs to be exercised in the case of |
| And there's particularly good evidence that vitamin E | | | | vitamin E because of its fat solubility. But even here, |
| functions as a general immune system booster, | | | | however, supplementary doses of several thousand IU |
| preserving vital red blood cells and stimulating the | | | | per day ' far in excess of the normally recommended |
| body's production of natural antibodies, effects which | | | | therapeutic dose of around 400 IU, appear to be very |
| have been shown to be particularly pronounced and | | | | safe. The only likely contra-indication arises because of |
| important in the over 60s, whose immune systems are | | | | vitamin E's action as an anti-coagulant, meaning that it |
| commonly beginning to function less effectively than | | | | should not be taken before surgey or when taking any |
| those of younger people. | | | | presecibed blood thinning medication. |
| Moreover, vitamins C and E are probably the body's | | | | As always in matters of nutrition, however, it is crucial |
| two most important anti-oxidants, liquid and fat-soluble | | | | to adopt a holistic approach. And both vitamins E and |
| respectively, and crucial in protecting against the free | | | | C will require the presence of an abundant supply of all |
| radical damage to cells and tissue which left | | | | the vitamins and minerals required by the body if they |
| unchecked can lead to premature signs of ageing, and | | | | are to do their work effectively. Even orthodox opinion, |
| even the degenerative diseases which cause much of | | | | therefore, whilst ordinarily inclined to cast doubt upon |
| the misery associated with advancing years. So for | | | | the therapeutic claims of nutritional therapists, |
| their anti-oxidant functions alone it would be more than | | | | commonly recommends a comprehensive multi-vitamin |
| worthwhile to ensure an abundant supply of both of | | | | and multi-mineral suppplement as a valuable element in |
| these vitamins. | | | | a daily regime for optimal health. |
| When considering supplementation with vitamin E it is | | | | |