TitleVitamin E revisited: do new data validate benefits for chronic disease prevention?
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2008
AuthorsTraber MG, Frei B, Beckman JS
JournalCurr Opin Lipidol
Volume19
Issue1
Pagination30-8
Date Published2008 Feb
ISSN0957-9672
KeywordsAntioxidants, Chronic Disease, Clinical Trials as Topic, Dietary Supplements, Female, Humans, Male, Primary Prevention, Vitamin E, Vitamin E Deficiency
Abstract

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Vitamin E benefits in human health and chronic disease prevention are evaluated with respect to established alpha-tocopherol functions during vitamin E deficiency, adequacy, and excess.

RECENT FINDINGS: Baseline vitamin E status of the 29 092 Finnish men participating in the Alpha-Tocopherol, Beta-Carotene Cancer Prevention study showed that the men in the highest compared with the lowest quintile of serum alpha-tocopherol had significantly lower incidences of total and cause-specific mortality. New findings from the Women's Health Study support a role for vitamin E supplements in decreasing the risk for sudden death from cardiovascular disease and from thromboembolism. We speculate that a potential mechanism may involve vitamin E interference in vitamin K activation.

SUMMARY: alpha-Tocopherol acts as a peroxyl and alkoxyl radical scavenger in lipid environments, and thus it prevents lipid peroxidation in lipoproteins and membranes, especially nervous tissues. Decreased chronic disease incidence is associated with lifelong generous dietary vitamin E intakes, but more than 90% of Americans do not consume the recommended dietary amounts (15 mg/day). Vitamin E supplements can have beneficial effects on health beyond those from dietary amounts, perhaps because pharmacologic levels also upregulate hepatic xenobiotic pathways.

DOI10.1097/MOL.0b013e3282f2dab6
Alternate JournalCurr. Opin. Lipidol.
PubMed ID18196984
Grant List067930 / / PHS HHS / United States
AT002034 / AT / NCCIH NIH HHS / United States