Natural-source vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that helps avoid
forgetfulness and sudden hearing loss. It also supplies oxygen to the
blood and dissolves blood clots
Vitamin E has earned itself a reputation - from spicing up your sex
life to banning wrinkles and old age. One of the most important
functions of this vitamin is its antioxidant properties. Vitamin E is
an essential fat-soluble vitamin that includes eight naturally
occurring compounds in two classes designated as tocopherols and
tocotrienols.
Vitamin E is an effective chain-breaking, lipid-soluble antioxidant in biological membranes, and aids in membrane stability.
Vitamin E is required for
Vitamin
E is a powerful antioxidant, protects your cells from oxidation, and
neutralizes unstable free radicals, which can cause damage. This is
done by the vitamin E giving up one of its electrons to the electron
deficient free radical, making it more stable. While Vitamin E performs
its antioxidant functions, it also protects the other antioxidants from
being oxidized.
This antioxidant capability is then also great
in helping to prevent degenerative diseases - including heart disease,
strokes, arthritis, senility, diabetes and cancer. It also assists in
fighting heart disease and cancers and is essential for red blood
cells, helps with cellular respiration and protects the body from
pollution - especially the lungs. Vitamin E is also useful in
preventing blood clots from forming and promotes fertility, reduces
and/or prevents hot flushes in menopause. An increase in stamina and
endurance is also attributed to Vitamin E.
Vitamin E is also
used topically to great effect for skin treatments - in helping the
skin look younger, promoting healing and cutting down the risk of scar
tissue forming. Used on the skin it is also reported to help with
eczema, skin ulcers cold sores and shingles.
Deficiency of vitamin E
Deficiency
of Vitamin E is not common, and the symptoms not very clear cut, but
may include fatigue, inflamed varicose veins, wounds healing slowly,
premature aging and sub-fertility. When Vitamin E is in short supply
symptoms may include acne, anemia, muscle disease, dementia, cancers,
gallstones, shortened red blood cell life span, spontaneous abortion
(miscarriage), and uterine degeneration.
Best used with
Take
Vitamin E with the range of antioxidants - that being vitamin C,
beta-carotene and selenium. Vitamin B group vitamins as well as
inositol and manganese is also indicated.
When more may be required
When
your diet is high in refined carbohydrates, fried foods and fat, or you
are taking a birth control pill or hormone replacement therapy, then a
supplement of Vitamin E might be called for. People suffering from
pre-menstrual cramps, menopausal hot flushes, after a stroke or
suffering from a heart disease might benefit from Vitamin E. It might
also be beneficial to relieve painful or swollen joints, if you are
exposed to pollution (that is about all of us), suffer from poor
circulation or from Dupuytren's disease, which is a thickening of the
ligaments in the hands.
Enemy of vitamin E
Vitamin E is lost in food processing which includes milling, cooking, freezing, long storage periods and when exposed to air.
When
buying a supplement you often see "d-alpha-tocopherol" on the list of
ingredients - that means that the Vitamin E is from natural sources,
whereas "dl-alpha-tocopherol" will indicate that it is from synthetic
origin. As such the origin of the vitamin does not influence the
efficiency thereof.
Food sources of vitamin E
Vitamin
E is found in nuts, oils, vegetables, sunflower seeds, whole grains,
spinach, oils, seeds, wheat oils, asparagus, avocado, beef, seafood,
apples, carrots, celery etc .
Suggested use: take one (1) vegetable capsule daily,
preferably at mealtime or as directed by a healthcare practitioner.
