Benefits of Vitamin E
Benefits of Vitamin E are so expansive it is referred to as "The Chief Executive Antioxidant". This name really says it all. Don't make the mistake so many others do though and run to your local drug store to grab your huge supply of Vitamin E. Not just any E will do. In medical circles, Vitamin E was referred to as "A vitamin in search of a disease" meaning, it is a scavenger of free radicals. Vitamin E controls the number one killer in the Western world, Heart Disease. Antioxidants protect cells from the damaging effects of free radicals, which are molecules that contain an unshared electron. Free radicals damage cells and might contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease and cancer. Unshared electrons are highly energetic and react rapidly with oxygen to form reactive oxygen species (ROS). The body forms ROS endogenously when it converts food to energy, and antioxidants might protect cells from the damaging effects of ROS. The body is also exposed to free radicals from environmental exposures, such as cigarette smoke, air pollution, and ultraviolet radiation from the sun. ROS are part of signaling mechanisms among cells. Vitamin E is a fat-soluble antioxidant that stops the production of ROS formed when fat undergoes oxidation. Scientists are investigating whether, by limiting free-radical production and possibly through other mechanisms, vitamin E might help prevent or delay the chronic diseases associated with free radicals. Benefits of Vitamin E include:
And that's just the beginning. With the very small RDA recommendation of 30 IU or 20 Mg. is quite low. Therapeutic amounts of 400IU-1200IU are recommended by many nutrition professionals. What is Vitamin EEven though its name makes it sound like a single substance, vitamin E is actually a family of fat-soluble vitamins that are active throughout the body. Some members of the vitamin E family are called tocopherols. These members include alpha tocopherol, beta tocopherol, gamma tocopherol, and delta tocopherol. These are referred to as "Mixed Tocopherols". Other members of the vitamin E family are called tocotrienols. These members include alpha, beta, gamma, and delta tocotrienol. As increasing information has become available about these forms of vitamin E, more and more of them are understood to have unique and valuable functions.
Foods Containing Vitamin EThe quandary we face with benefits of Vitamin E is the Food and Nutrition Boards recommendation of Vegetable Oils to obtain our RDA. However, you have learned that the vegetable oils that are recommended are highly dangerous and create free radical activity. To safely obtain a variety of mixed tocopherols, the following foods contribute to your Vitamin E recommendations:
Benefits of Vitamin E of mixed tocopherol, the best Vitamin E supplementation is in that of the Rice Bran Oil as bolded above. It is my intention to show you how to mix and match your whole food sources so that you're "naturally supplementing" on a meal by meal basis. Add sunflower seeds to salads, smoothies and replace your chips with sunflower seeds in the shell. Supplementation to AvoidAs mentioned in many other pages of this web site, you want to obtain your supplementation in whole food form. Whether it is from the foods you choose or whole food supplementation, "Whole Food" is the key term here. Again, vegetable oils are delicate and become rancid easily so avoid those and utilize the Rice Bran Oil instead. When I mention running to your local drug store to pick up your bottle of Vitamin E, I am referring to the typical synthetic, DL-Alpha Tocopherol which is a by product of film making. Should you decide on benefits of Vitamin E supplementation, look for "Mixed Tocopherols" and "Mixed Tocotrienols" on your label. Since vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin, poor absorption of fat in the digestive tract can contribute to vitamin E deficiency. Some specific health conditions that can cause fat malabsorption include pancreatic disease, celiac disease, and gallbladder disease. Premature birth has also been shown to increase risk of vitamin E deficiency in infants. Chart of Vitamins and Minerals are easily found on the internet for further clarification if needed. If this site has been helpful to you, a small donation is always appreciated. This helps me attend conferences and workshops that provide us with the latest science based information for your health. Return to Top of Benefits of Vitamin E
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