VITAMIN E

You could call vitamin E 'the mystery vitamin'. It's some 50 years since it was discovered, and recognized as essential. This followed studies over 60 years, showing that rats given food without vitamin E aborted their young, and male rats became sterile. It was this work that earned the vitamin its chemical name of 'tocopherol', from the Greek meaning 'to give birth'.

But we still don't understand how the vitamin works. A recent review of vitamin E by Dr. R. C. Cottrell of the British Nutrition Foundation shows that the evidence from many pieces of research indicates that rather than affecting a single function, such as fertility, vitamin E seems to have a general protective effect on the body.

Firstly, the vitamin is thought to protect body cells from destructive chemical reactions that can damage health, which can occur when the body has been exposed to harmful substances. these are around us every day, ranging from city air pollutants such as car exhaust, to tobacco smoke and contaminants in food. thinkquicker.blogspot.com


Vitamin E, a Children Vitamin

Secondly, Dr. Cottrell draws together studies showing that vitamin E may protect children from a number of illnesses.

The best known medical use for vitamin E is to treat a particular kind of anaemia in premature babies; it may also help with breathing difficulties, inherited liver and other diseases.

Vitamin E, an Adult Vitamin

For adults, experiments strongly suggest that vitamin E can have a protective effect on the lungs of smokers.

A recent study by America's National Research Council reports that while another relates low levels of vitamins E and A to an increased risk of cancer.

In this study, 111 patients who had been involved in a much larger group in a high blood pressure study, later developed cancer. During the blood pressure trial, they had blood samples taken which were analysed. When the blood was compared with 210 members of the same group who had not developed cancer later, it was seen that the blood levels of vitamin E were lower in subjects who later developed cancer.

This doesn't prove that vitamin E prevents cancer, for another cause might produce both low 'E' levels and cancer. But Dr. Willets, head of the research unit who published these results, said "the possibility that these nutrients have protective effects in subgroups of a population, or against particular types of cancer, cannot be excluded." thinkquicker.blogspot.com

Closer to home, a report in the British Journal of Cancer adds weight to this theory.

Vitamin E Deficiency,

Risk of Breast Cancer

Between 1968 and 1975, blood plasma collected from more than 5,000 women in Guernsey was stored frozen.

By 1982, 39 of these women had developed breast cancer. They were compared with a similar group of women who had not, and it turned out that the women who had, long before getting cancer, lower levels of vitamin E in their blood had the highest breast cancer risk. thinkquicker.blogspot.com

Vitamin E, A Fighter

This could mean that the vitamin E was used up fighting off the harmful substances which later caused cancer; in which case the low level is more a symptom than a direct cause. But even in this case, it's possible that if the women had more vitamin E available to fight the harmful substances, health might have won.

Vitamin E, brings fertility


Reports like these are making a 'breakthrough' for vitamin E: in the past, its connection with fertility in animals has led to the idea that it can help fertility in humans. Although this may be true, the idea of a 'sex vitamin' has led many cautious medical staff to dismiss the vitamin.

Now the general protective aspect is coming to the fore, opinion are changing, although more research need to be done.

Meanwhile, can you ensure that your body has enough vitamin E to give it the best chance of health?

Vitamin E, Source (Darkgreen Vegetables)

The four active members of the tocopherol 'family' which makes up vitamin E are called alpha, beta, gamma and delta, alpha being the most active. They are all found in similar foods, for vitamin E is an oil-soluble vitamin. The richest sources are vegetable oils. The more unprocessed an oil, such as 'cold-pressed', unheated types, the higher its vitamin E content.

The common oils that contain most are, in descending order, wheat germ oil, sunflower seed oil, safflower oil and corn oil.
Margarine made from these oils will also contain a substantial amount of vitamin E; wheat germ itself, and the seeds and nuts from which oils come are other rich sources: sunflower seeds are especially high.
Wholegrain cereals and breads, eggs and broccoli (together with other leafy green vegetables) also contain good amounts of vitamin E.

BEWARE

Unfortunately, a considerable amount of the vitamin E in foods can be lost by mass cooking and deep-frying. This is another good reason fro choosing plenty of vitamin E-rich foods, and eating at least some of your wholegrain cereals raw, like muesli; and using nuts, seeds and leafy green salads regularly.

Holland & Barrett stores specialise in unheated, 'cold-pressed' oils, wheat germ, nuts and seeds. In addition, Prewetts oils have added vitamin E (which helps stop oil going rancid as well as providing extra for the user). thinkquicker.blogspot.com

Vitamin E, Daily Requirement in human body

In the UK, there is no official figure for how much vitamin E you need a day. In America, however, they estimate about 10 milligrams a day for adults, rising from 3 mg per day for infants (luckily, breast milk provides plenty).

One study of Western diets suggests that the average person barely gets 5-10 milligrams a day. White bread and refined foods generally provide little vitamin E.
It's a long term act of sensible self-protection to make sure you get enough vitamin E, especially in the light of the recent research discussed above. Don't expect to notice dramatic signs of health improvement, although some people do claim they have seen their health improve rapidly.
Just think of helping your body protect itself against the many everyday threats of pollution.
It's this motive that encourages many people to choose vitamin E-rich foods regularly, and to 'top up' their vitamin E intake with a supplement. Naturally, they aim to eat plenty of other vitamins too. Vitamin E is the only vitamin where the natural form can be shown to be more active, both in the laboratory, and in effect on levels of the vitamin absorbed into the blood stream.

Naturally-derived vitamin E supplements include the Healthcrafts range, and Lanes Fort-E-Vite vitamin E.

HIGH POTENCY VITAMIN E

Many people make it a habit to take much larger amounts of vitamin E than the estimated daily requirement. This is because the vitamin is widely used in alternative medicine for a variety of health conditions, especially to improve circulation. This follows work such as that of Wilfred and Evan Shute on vitamin E.

If you'd like to learn more about this and other vitamin E studies, a clear and brief account is available in Vitamin E - The Vitality Vitamin, written by clinical biochemist Dr. Leonard Mervyn, and published by Thorsons. Holland and Barrett branches stock this book, or can order it for you. thinkquicker.blogspot.com