Vitamins & Supplements

PDF File size: 825.79 Kb
Page: 3 Pages
PDF Source: www.hazelnutcouncil.org
Tags: Vitamin E
Share this info:


File Review:

Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that helps destroy free radicals in the body and promotes … summary of the health benefits associated with vitamin E. …

Vitamin E Research Summary

Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that helps destroy free radicals in the body and promotes healthy aging. Food sources of vitamin E include nuts, seeds, vegetable oils, whole grains and leafy green vegetables. Researchers and clinicians have taken an interest in this fat-soluble vitamin because of its possible role in preventing heart disease and cancer. Recently, there has been some controversy surrounding vitamin E supplementation. Following is a brief review of the existing scientific data and a summary of the health benefits associated with vitamin E.

FooD souRcE Vs. suPPlEmEnt
Vitamin E exists in eight different forms that vary in biological activity . Alpha-tocopherol
1

Early in 2005, a study was published that suggested large doses of vitamin E may increase the risk of mortality4. The study, which was a meta-analysis, received widespread media coverage and may have created some confusion about America’s most popular supplement. There were many criticisms of the meta-analysis including the high number of older participants with pre-existing medical conditions and use of high-doses of synthetic -tocopherol in supplement form. The study suggested avoiding intake of more than 400 IU of vitamin E supplements per day, which is well over the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of 15 mg or 22.5 IU of vitamin. (Note: The DV for vitamin E is 20 mg or 30 IU). Food sources of vitamin E provide much smaller amounts of the nutrient in forms that are more biovailable. It’s possible that consumers will now be seeking ways to get their daily dose of vitamin E through the foods they eat rather than through supplementation.

(-tocopherol) is thought to be the most biologically active form of vitamin E, but some of the other forms may also play important roles in human health. For example, some evidence suggests that tocotrienols, another form of vitamin E, may have cholesterol-lowering effects2. Food sources of vitamin E, such as hazelnuts, generally contain multiple forms of the nutrient and they behave synergistically in the body. Many of the vitamin E supplements are made from synthetic -tocopherol, which is less biologically active than the natural form .
3