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