| Oxygen is one of the primary components of nature | | | | Iowa Women's Health Study finds little evidence that |
| that supports life. The same oxygen, when inside the | | | | vitamin E has protective effect against breast cancer |
| body, through certain molecules, becomes overly | | | | in women after menopause. Hence, researchers have |
| reactive and starts causing damage through the | | | | noted that not just vitamin E alone, but foods rich in |
| formation of free radicals. This is called oxidative | | | | antioxidants may be able to protect from cancer. |
| stress. Vitamin E, as an antioxidant, helps prevent | | | | Numerous studies have established the effect of |
| oxidative stress, thereby preventing cell damage and | | | | vitamin E in protecting the skin from ultraviolet radiation, |
| aging of the cells. | | | | whose harmful effects include photodermatitis, an |
| The body absorbs cholesterol, a fatty substance in | | | | allergic type reaction to the UV rays of the sun. |
| foods, and this is transferred from the liver to different | | | | Vitamin E, whether taken through foods or applied |
| tissues to be stored as fats. They are carried in the | | | | topically, has been shown to protect skin cell |
| bloodstream by a molecule called Low Density | | | | membranes. |
| Lipoproteins (LDL). When LDL gets oxidized, they react | | | | Besides these benefits, vitamin E may protect from |
| with cholesterol and a waxy fat substance called | | | | Alzheimer's, cataracts (clouding of the lens of the |
| plaque is deposited on the walls of the arteries, which | | | | eyes), and pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas). |
| results in the stopping of blood flow, high blood | | | | Also, vitamin E may be beneficial in healing wounds |
| pressure and cardio-vascular diseases. | | | | and burns, reducing scars. The property of combating |
| Vitamin E helps prevent the conversion of cholesterol | | | | oxidative stress may be useful for athletes, as their |
| into plaque, and this is done by alpha-tocopherol, not | | | | oxygen utilization rate is higher than those not doing |
| any other form of vitamin E, because liver places it | | | | exercise, which results in increased generation of free |
| preferentially in the bloodstream through a protein | | | | radicals. |
| called alpha-tocopherol transfer protein. | | | | Without proper conclusions from studies, it would be |
| The effect of vitamin E in preventing cancer has not | | | | premature to opt for supplements without the advice |
| conclusively been established. According to a study by | | | | of medical practitioner. However, it is generally |
| The American Association of Cancer Research, | | | | recommended to take several servings of vegetables |
| reduced risk of cancer is associated with an intake of | | | | and fruits that are rich in antioxidants. |
| vitamin E-rich foods. Contradictorily, a study done by | | | | |