Vitamin E: Friend or Foe?

What Is Itcontaining vitamin E to skin wounds helps promote
Vitamin E is a generic term for a group of relatedhealing.
compounds called tocopherols, which occur accessHow Much You Need
four major forms: alpha -, beta -, delta -, and gamma -The RDA for vitamin E is 8 mg for women and 10 mg
tocopherols. Alpha - tocopherol is the most commonform men daily - which is equal to 12 to 15 IU. Although
and most potent form of the vitamin. Because it is fat -this amount may be enough to prevent deficiency,
soluble, vitamin E is stored for relatively long periodshigher doses are needed to prepare the extensive
weight the body, mainly in fat tissue and the liver.antioxidant effect.
Vitamin E is found in only a few foods, and many ofIf You Get Too Little: Intakes of vitamin E below the
these are high grease fat, which makes it difficult toRDA can lean to neurological end and shorten the life
get the amount of vitamin E you require while on aof red blood cells. If you are eating a balanced diet,
healthy low - fat diet. Therefore, supplements canhowever, you are probably not at risk.
typify very useful in obtaining optimal amounts of thisIf You Get Ultra Much: No toxic effects from large
nutrient.doses of vitamin E have been discovered, even at
What Does It Dolevels due to high since 3, 200 IU a day. Minor effects,
One of vitamin E ' s basic functions is to insure cellsuch as headaches and diarrhea, have rarely been
membranes. It also helps the body use selenium andreported. But, large doses of vitamin E can interfere
vitamin K. But vitamin E ' s current reputation comeswith the absorption of vitamin A.
from its disease - fighting potential as an antioxidant -How To Take It
import it assists in destroying or neutralizing freeDosage: To obtain the disease - fighting potential of
radicals, the unstable oxygen molecules that cause gutvitamin E, many expert ballyhoo 400 800 IU banal in
to the cells.capsule or tablet form. ( This total includes amounts
Common Usesyou get in a multivitamin. ) Doses of up to 1, 200 IU
Â- Helps protect against heart disease, certainhave been recommended for people at high risk for
cancers, and various other chronic ailments.heart disorder and certain cancers. It may express
Â- May delay or prevent cataracts.particularly effective when taken with Vitamins C.
Â- Enhances the immune system.Guidelines For Use: Struggle to take vitamin E
Â- Protects against secondhand hap and colorfulsupplements at the same time each day. Combining it
pollutants.with a meal decreases stomach irritation and
Â- Aids in skin healing.increases the absorption of this fat - soluble vitamin.
PreventionFor topical use, tear open a capsule and profit by the
By safeguarding cell membranes and acting as anoil away to your skin, or use a commercial cream
antioxidant, vitamin E may play a role in preventingcontaining vitamin E as needed.
cancer. Some of the most compelling research to dateDeviating Sources
suggest that vitamin E can help protect againstWheat germ is an outstanding dietary source of
cardiovascular disease, including heart attack andvitamin E: 1 ounce ( about 2 tablespoons ) contains the
stroke, by reducing the harmful effects of LDL ( " badequivalent of 54 IU. Beneficial amounts of vitamin E are
" ) cholesterol and by preventing blood clots. In addition,also found in vegetable oils, cuckoo and seeds (
vitamin E may offer protection because it works tohazelnuts, almonds, sunflower seeds ), green leafy
reduce inflammatory processes that own been linkedvegetables, and whole grains.
to emotions disease. Findings from two large studiesCaution!
suggest that vitamin E may lessen the risk of heartÂ- People on prescription blood thinning drugs (
disease by 25 % to 50 % - and it may prevent chestanticoagulants ) or aspirin should consult their doctor
pain ( angina ) as well. And recent findings suggest thatbefore using vitamin E.
taking vitamin E with vitamin C may help block someÂ- Do not gate vitamin E two days before or
of the damnable effects of a fatty meal.after surgery.
Additional BenefitsJust out Findings
Because it protects cells from unrecompensed -Â- In a recent see of thousands of smokers,
radical damage, some experts think that vitamin E mayvitamin E supplements reduced the risk of prostate
retard the aging process. There is also evidence tocancer by 33 % and the death rate from the disease
suggest that it improves immune craft grease theby 41 %. The dosage was 50 IU a era, indicating that
elderly, combats toxins from cigarette smoke andeven low doses of vitamin E may offer protective
other pollutants, treats Parkinson ' s disease, postponesbenefits.
the development of cataracts, and slows theÂ- Taking vitamin E supplements may strengthen
progression of Alzheimer ' s disease.the immune systems of older people. In a study of 88
Other research begin that vitamin E can relieve thehealthy subjects age 65 and older, those taking 200 IU
severe leg pain caused by a circulatory crunch calledof vitamin E each day showed the greatest increase
intermittent claudication. It may alleviate premenstrualin immune - system responses ( such as buildup of
breast pain and goodness whereas husky. In addition,antibodies to fight disease ).
many people report that applying creams or oils