Vitamin E-1000 IU (d-Alpha tocopherol)

Antioxidant vitamin with numerous benefits
100 Capsule, Code 113B

$39.95

As a supplement, Vitamin has a number of health benefits for the body. The term “vitamin E” refers to a family of eight related, lipid-soluble, antioxidant compounds widely distributed in plants. The tocopherol and tocotrienol subfamilies are each composed of alpha, beta, gamma and delta vitamers having unique biological effects. Different ratios of these compounds are found in anatomically different parts of a plant. For example, the green parts of a plant contain mostly alpha tocopherol and the seed germ and bran contain mostly tocotrienols.

When this family of compounds was first discovered and determined to be essential for health, a standardized test for its activity was devised for which the members of the family were rated for their biological activity. In one test, alpha tocopherol scored highest and was rated 100% with all others having lower ratings. In accordance with this rating, alpha tocopherol was deemed to be the essential compound and was called vitamin E. One International Unit (IU) of vitamin E activity is the activity under this rating of 1 mg of the plant-derived form of alpha tocopherol.

Since the original rating method was established, many additional important biological effects of these compounds have been discovered and many nutritional scientists now consider that rating method to be incomplete. For example, by the original rating, gamma tocopherol was only 10 to 30% as strong as alpha tocopherol, yet recent studies have shown it to be essential for maintaining the health of cell membranes, especially if alpha tocopherol is being supplemented. New studies continue to elucidate the unique benefits of individual members of the vitamin E family. For example, tocotrienols have been shown to lower cholesterol, prevent LDL oxidation, and reduce atherosclerotic plaque formation more effectively than tocopherols. For these and other reasons, the original definition of vitamin E has been enhanced to include all eight family members and the related compounds that convert to them in the body.

Serious vitamin takers prefer cold-water dispersible dry powder vitamin E supplements in the form of alpha tocopheryl succinate or acetate because the cold-water dispersible forms are efficiently absorbed even when taken on an empty stomach or with a low-fat meal. The non-cold water dispersible (oil) forms of vitamin E may be poorly absorbed unless taken with several grams of fats or oils.

Cold-water dispersible vitamin E is twice as expensive as soybean oil E-acetate, but the cold-water dispersible forms are more efficiently absorbed. Both “acetate” and “succinate” vitamin E can come from natural sources. The importance to the consumer is how well the vitamin E absorbs into the bloodstream. Cold-water dispersible vitamin E, whether in a succinate or acetate form, always comes in a white dry powder, while noncold-water dispersible natural and synthetic acetate forms of vitamin E are always in a thick brown oil.

While 100 IU or more of supplemental vitamin E a day has been shown to reduce the risk of heart attacks in healthy people, those with pre-existing coronary artery disease often take 800 to 1600 IU a day based on the pioneering work of the Shute brothers in the mid 1940s.

One or more members of the vitamin E family may also:

• Maintain cell membrane integrity and reduce cellular aging
  
• Inhibit the potentially damaging peroxynitrite radical
  
• Inhibit melanoma cell growth in mice
  
• Prevent abnormal blood clotting
  
• Synergize with vitamin A to protect the lungs against pollutants
  
• Protect nervous system and retina
  
• Lower the risk of ischemic and coronary heart disease
  
• Lower the risk of certain kinds of cancer
  
• Protect immune function
  
• Reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease

Caution:
If you are taking anti-clotting medication, consult with your doctor before taking this product.
Ingestion of total vitamin E products in excess of 1200 IU daily may interfere with absorption and metabolism of vitamins A and K.

1 capsule contains:
1000IU of vitamin E (as D-alpha-tocopherol ).

Other ingredients: Magnesium stearate, rice flour, gelatin and water.

These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease