VITAMIN C CRITICAL WITH E

CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE ADDING/CHANGING ANY SUPPLEMENTS

 

Yet, we should point out that there has been a study in the past which seemed to indicate that vitamin E could be actually HARMFUL. And just recently (Nov. 2004), a new study becomes at least a second major study which also led the researchers to conclude that E may be a bad idea, at least over 200 mg.

HOWEVER - There are THREE concerns here.

1. The recent study has limitations. The trials involved adults with chronic diseases so the findings may not apply to healthy adults.
2. The study only looked at alpha-tocopherols. Of the E vitamins, only gamma-tocopherol gets rid of peroxynitrite, a highly destructive nitric oxide radical found at sites of inflammation. Where there is chronic inflammation, he said, peroxynitrite can start processes leading to cancer and heart disease. In laboratory tests, California researchers found that gamma–tocopherol also was the only one of the E vitamin forms that could permanently trap and remove nitrogen oxide, a chemical commonly found in polluted air. Additionally, the studies showed that high levels of alpha–tocopherol reduce the levels of gamma-tocopherol in the blood. Thus, high doses of current alpha-tocopherol-only vitamin E pills actually can block a beneficial natural nutrient.
3. There are also some well-done studies which show that vitamin C activates/re-activates E in its anti-oxident role. In fact, the remarkable indication was that vitamin E without C can actually turn toward being a free radical itself.

CONCLUSION:

1. Take MIXED tocopherols (alpha-, beta-, gamma-tocopherol formulations of E). This is not as easily found.

 2. Be sure to take vitamin C along with E. Most folks do, but make sure it is at least 200mg if you take large doses of E.

3. Many authorities are suggesting that 400mg should be the max for most folks. If you are taking 800mg, then re-check this with your doctor.

*  Increasing vitamin E intake - from foods or supplements - may help protect men against prostate and bladder cancer. Results of a study presented at the annual meeting of the American Association of Cancer Research in March 2004 showed that men with the highest blood levels of vitamin E had the lowest risk of prostate cancer. The study included 29,133 Finnish men between the ages of 50 and 69. The participants gave blood at the beginning of the study and then took vitamins to see whether an increased intake would have an effect on cancer risk. Those who had the highest blood levels of vitamin E from foods before they took vitamins were 53 percent less likely to develop prostate cancer than were men whose vitamin E levels were low at the outset of the study.

Results of a similar study from Texas Woman's University in Houston showed that patients with the highest intake of alpha tocopherol (a form of vitamin E found in food) were 42 percent less likely to develop bladder cancer than others in the study (those who got vitamin E from their diets and also took supplements were 44 percent less likely to develop bladder cancer). Vitamin E is found in nuts and seeds, whole-grain products, vegetable oils, beans, peas and other vegetables, while the best food sources of alpha tocopherol are sunflower seeds, almonds, spinach, mustard greens and green and red peppers.