Vitamin E

A fat-soluble vitamin, vitamin E protects cell membranes and other lipid-based substances, like LDL cholesterol, from damage. Most of the supplements on the market are either a synthetic form of vitamin E or simply alpha tocopherol. Because of this, many people taking vitamin E often lack the beneficial beta, delta, and most importantly gamma tocopherols. Unlike alpha, gamma tocopherol is able to protect the body against nitrogen-based free radicals, which are frequently associated with inflammatory diseases like cancer, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. Studies have shown that mixed tochopherols may lower the risk of prostate and breast cancer, decrease the chance of stroke and cardiovascular mortality, increase HDL (good) cholesterol and decrease LDL (bad) cholesterol, delay and/or prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s disease, and bolster the function of the immune system.

Vitamin E is a fat soluble vitamin, essential to good health, that can only be obtained through the diet. Vitamin E is an important antioxidant that scavenges damage-causing free radicals and protects the body from deterioration. Vitamin E is also vital to maintaining cardiovascular health and overall fitness, but unfortunately is practically impossible to get enough of in the average American diet. Vitamin E is also very important to proper development and maintenance of the skin.

Functions in the Body:
Believed by some to be the super vitamin, vitamin E may ward off many diseases and slow down age-related cell damage. Research has shown that vitamin E may:

• Prevent arteries from clogging.
• Boost the immune system.
• Interfere with dangerous cell growth.
• Counteract the development of cataracts and macular degeneration.
• Reduce the risk of heart disease in diabetics.