Benefits of vitamin E

Nutrition Health Review,  Summer, 2004  by Phillip Zimmerman

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The exact dosages of various nutrients are very important for both consumers and physicians. A report from from the American Heart Association's annual meeting November 2004 in New Orleans indicated that doses of vitamin E should not exceed 400 International Units (I.U.) daily.

What can we make of this report?

At the outset, it must be recalled that good news does not make headlines. That the train arrived on time is not something that people will run to read about. Studies and news articles of this type have to include some sensational material; if not, they will be neglected.

How should individuals respond to the news about vitamin E?

Vitamin E helps to nourish the cells, may help prevent blood clots, and slows down cellular aging. People with a heart problem should certainly discuss the dosage of vitamin E with their physicians. As a rule, 100-, 200-, and 400-I.U. strengths are available as well as 500 and 800 I.U. The overwhelming majority of the general public does not take more than 400 units daily. A special situation exists in regard to people with high blood pressure. Such individuals are advised to limit their intake to 100 or 200 units daily.

Vitamin E is not that easy to obtain from food sources. Wheat germ is the most excellent source. Not many people take several teaspoons of wheat germ oil daily.

Another aspect of this picture is the variation between natural and synthetic vitamin E. The natural form is called "d-alpha" and the synthetic is called "d1-alpha." Almost all nutritionists agree that natural vitamin E is superior to the synthetic form and may even be safer.

In addition to its usefulness for patients with heart problems, vitamin E may help to alleviate leg cramps, prevent miscarriages, heal burns (especially when used externally in liquid form), prevent blood clots, prevent thick scar tissue (used externally), and stop the oxidation of low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-cholesterol, the "bad" form).

The wise use of nutritional entities in human nutrition is a vast and evolving subject, and we can hope with new discoveries that new avenues will be found to improve human health.

Phillip Zimmerman, Ph.D., is chief chemist at Freeda Laboratories.

COPYRIGHT 2004 Vegetus Publications
COPYRIGHT 2005 Gale Group