MAIN Health Vitamins & Minerals Vitamin E

One of vitamin E's main roles in the body is that of antioxidant, which is also the property that makes it so attractive as a supplement.

Antioxidants are good for the body because they neutralize free radicals, which are naturally occurring unstable molecules produced as by-products in the body.

Free radicals cause a wide variety of damage in the body, and can contribute to a number of ailments such as cancer, neurological disease, and heart disease.

Free radicals are also partially responsible for the bodies aging process. Vitamin E's main antioxidant role is to protect cell membranes from damage, but it is likely, though not yet confirmed, that it has a neutralizing effect on the more general negative effects of free radicals.

There is evidence that vitamin E's antioxidant properties also have a preventative effect on heart disease. One study of 90,000 nurses showed that a high intake of vitamin E reduced the occurrence of heart disease by 30 to 40 percent, and other studies have had similar results.

There is also some evidence to suggest that vitamin E may help prevent cancer. Several studies have shown that a high intake of vitamin E is associated with a decreased risk of developing a variety of cancers such as prostate, colon, and breast cancer.

Other studies, however, show that vitamin E has little or no effect on the chances of developing cancer, so more research needs to be done before anything conclusive can be said about vitamin E's cancer prevention properties.

For those looking to supplement their diet with more vitamin E, there are a number of options available. Vitamin E is widely available as a vitamin, and it can also be found naturally in a variety of foods such as oils, nuts, and leafy green vegetables like spinach.

More about vitamin E around the Web:

Vitamin E Fact Sheet - Facts and information on its benefits, with a list of good food sources by serving size and milligrams.

Facts About Vitamin E - Benefits, good food sources, recommended dietary allowance, causes and symptoms of deficiency, current issues and controversies, with additional information on the vitamin's association in treatment of heart disease, cancer and cataracts, related references. Also available in a printable PDF file.

Vitamin E, Linus Pauling Institute's Micronutrient Information Center - Comprehensive overview of its antioxidant functions, interaction with other nutrients, conditions and risk factors of defiency, its use in treatment of cardiovascular disease, cancer and cataracts, drug interactions, and recommended dietary allowances by age level.

Vitamin E - Overview, uses in treatment of heart disease, cancer, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's disease and other conditions, dietary sources and supplements, possible interactions, supporting research.

Medline Plus Medical Encyclopedia: Vitamin E - General overview with accompanying illustrations, its benefits, good food sources, associations in treatment of disease.

Food Standards Agency - Vitamin E - Its benefits, good food sources, suggested daily requirement, with a complete scientific assessment in PDF format.

DoctorYourself.com - Vitamin E - Report on research suggesting its benefit in treatment of high blood pressure, varicose veins and other circulatory conditions as well as a natural healer of wounds, scarring and sunburn when used externally.

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