| is one of the primary components of nature that | | | | Contradictorily, a study done by Iowa Women's |
| supports life. The same oxygen, when inside the | | | | Health Study finds little evidence that vitamin E |
| body, through certain molecules, becomes overly | | | | has protective effect against breast cancer in |
| reactive and starts causing damage through the | | | | women after menopause. Hence, researchers |
| formation of free radicals. This is called oxidative | | | | have noted that not just vitamin E alone, but |
| stress. Vitamin E, as an antioxidant, helps prevent | | | | foods rich in antioxidants may be able to protect |
| oxidative stress, thereby preventing cell damage | | | | from cancer. |
| and aging of the cells. | | | | Numerous studies have established the effect of |
| The body absorbs cholesterol, a fatty substance | | | | vitamin E in protecting the skin from ultraviolet |
| in foods, and this is transferred from the liver to | | | | radiation, whose harmful effects include |
| different tissues to be stored as fats. They are | | | | photodermatitis, an allergic type reaction to the |
| carried in the bloodstream by a molecule called | | | | UV rays of the sun. Vitamin E, whether taken |
| Low Density Lipoproteins (LDL). When LDL gets | | | | through foods or applied topically, has been shown |
| oxidized, they react with cholesterol and a waxy | | | | to protect skin cell membranes. |
| fat substance called plaque is deposited on the | | | | Besides these benefits, vitamin E may protect |
| walls of the arteries, which results in the stopping | | | | from Alzheimer's, cataracts (clouding of the lens |
| of blood flow, high blood pressure and | | | | of the eyes), and pancreatitis (inflammation of the |
| cardio-vascular diseases. | | | | pancreas). Also, vitamin E may be beneficial in |
| Vitamin E helps prevent the conversion of | | | | healing wounds and burns, reducing scars. The |
| cholesterol into plaque, and this is done by | | | | property of combating oxidative stress may be |
| alpha-tocopherol, not any other form of vitamin E, | | | | useful for athletes, as their oxygen utilization rate |
| because liver places it preferentially in the | | | | is higher than those not doing exercise, which |
| bloodstream through a protein called | | | | results in increased generation of free radicals. |
| alpha-tocopherol transfer protein. | | | | Without proper conclusions from studies, it would |
| The effect of vitamin E in preventing cancer has | | | | be premature to opt for supplements without the |
| not conclusively been established. According to a | | | | advice of medical practitioner. However, it is |
| study by The American Association of Cancer | | | | generally recommended to take several servings |
| Research, reduced risk of cancer is associated | | | | of vegetables and fruits that are rich in |
| with an intake of vitamin E-rich foods. | | | | antioxidants. |