VITAMIN E IS 'GOLDEN
CAPSULE'
by Jean Carper
Author and columnist Jean Carper calls Vitamin E "this golden capsule" and says
new benefits from Vitamin E intake are being shown for "better functioning brains,
immune systems and hearts." Writing in USA Weekend, Carper said research also shows
"possible prevention of gallstones and cataracts and treatment of asthma and male
infertility." "And hear this," she wrote. "The death rate from all
causes was 34% lower in older people taking Vitamin E supplements, according to National
Institute of Aging research."
* Tests at Tufts University by Simin Meydani showed that 200 milligrams of Vitamin E daily
for eight months dramatically increased immune functioning in healthy elderly people and
"cut infections by 30%," according to Carper. * Research at the University of
Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas by E. Ishwarlal Jialal, Carper wrote, found
that 400 IU daily is "required to help keep arteries from clogging."
"The evidence is impressive," she said, that increased Vitamin E intake is
linked to lower heart disease. "Primarily, Vitamin E discourages the buildup of
plaque on artery walls and the formation of blood clots that trigger heart attacks and
strokes." Carper also discussed how much Vitamin E should be used by individuals:
"Among researchers and physicians," she said, "the typical daily supplement
dose is 400 IU."
(Dearest ed: Be advised that women with any history of hypertension should seek the advice
of their personal physician before embarking on vitamin E therapy. Vitamin E has been
known to elevate blood pressure. In addition, if one does have a history of hypertension
(or it's familial), individual each doses should be no higher than 200 IU - international
units).
More Info On Vitamin E:
Vitamin E Has 'Longest List of Potential Benefits,'
Cornell University Special Report on Vitamins Says
May 22, 2000
ITHACA, New York, May 22, 2000 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Cornell University's Medical
College has published a special report on "The Science of Eating Right: Vitamins,
Minerals, and Dietary Supplements" which says that of all vitamins, Vitamin E
"boasts the longest and most diverse list of potential benefits."
The report, published in book form by the editors of Women's Health Advisor, a publication
of Cornell's Weill Medical College Center for Women's Healthcare, focuses on seven medical
conditions it says can receive benefit from Vitamin E. They
are:
- Heart disease - "The most well-documented benefit
of Vitamin E is
cardiovascular protection."
- Diabetes - "People with diabetes are more prone
to developing heart
disease and other vascular (blood-vessel related) problems prematurely, and Vitamin E
appears to have special benefits for them."
- Asthma - "As an antioxidant, Vitamin E could
theoretically reduce
asthma risk by minimizing free-radical-induced inflammation in the
respiratory tract."
- Alzheimer's disease - Studies have found that
"Vitamin E helped slow
the progress of Alzheimer's disease ..." Based on the same theory
that Vitamin E can benefit the nervous system, researchers have also
found a link between a high intake of Vitamin E and a lower incidence
of Parkinson's disease."
- Low immunity - A study published in the Journal of the
American Medical
Association showed that "elderly subjects who took Vitamin E
supplements for four months boosted their immune systems by more than 60 percent, with no
harmful side effects." A daily dose of 200
international units "appeared to be the most effective."
- Cancer - Studies have "linked low blood levels of
Vitamin E with early-
stage cervical cancer, and other studies have found low blood levels of
antioxidants in cancer patients."
- Menopause - "Vitamin E supplementation is the
most common alternative or adjunct therapy to hormone replacement therapy. At doses of 400
international units twice daily, Vitamin E is thought to relieve hot
flashes and vaginal dryness." (Power Surge recommends doses of no more 200 IU's of
vitamin E at a time. A total of 400-800 IU's daily is recommended for peri and
postmenopausal women. Be sure to take vitamin E with meals because it's an oil soluble
vitamin and is absorbed best when taken with food. Additionally, women with a history of
hypertension should consult their healthcare provider before embarking on vitamin E
therapy.)
SOURCE Foods for the Future
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