| Vitamin E, or Tocopherol, is a fat-soluble vitamin in eight forms that is an important and powerful antioxidant. Vitamin E is often used in skin creams and lotions because it is believed to play a role in encouraging skin healing and reducing scarring after injuries such as burns.
Antioxidants such as vitamin E act to protect cells against the effects of free radicals, which are potentially damaging by-products of the body's metabolism. Free radicals can cause cell damage that may contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease and cancer.
Vitamin E Deficiency
Defiency of Vitamin E has been found in persons who cannot absorb dietary fat, has been found in premature, very low birth weight infants (birth weights less than 1500 grams, or 3 1/2 pounds), and is seen in individuals with rare disorders of fat metabolism. A vitamin E deficiency is usually characterized by neurological problems due to poor(bad) nerve conduction.
Why is Vitamin E so important?
Vitamin E is an antioxidant that help protect cells against the effects of free radicals. These radicals can cause cell damage that may contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease and cancer.
Preliminary research has led to a widely held belief that vitamin E may help prevent or delay coronary heart disease.
Vitamin E and Alzheimer's disease An observational trial conducted by The Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health found that when vitamin E is taken daily in large doses (400-1000IU) in combination with vitamin C (500-1000mg) the onset of Alzheimer's was reduced between 64 and 78%. For more information on this study, click here
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