Vitamin E and your Heart

Vitamin E's primary function in the body is as an antioxidant. It helps prevent damage to cells by oxygen free radicals, which, among other things, keeps red blood cells and the nervous system healthy. Deficiency in vitamin E almost never occurs, especially in healthy adults. As with vitamin A, a great deal of research has been done on the link between vitamin E and certain chronic diseases. Because of vitamin E’s powerful antioxidant qualities, there has been great interest in the potential of this vitamin to lower the risk of lung cancer, breast cancer, and cardiovascular disease.

To date, however, there is no solid evidence that increasing one’s intake of vitamin E can lower the risk of any type of cancer. There are more solid data that a high vitamin E intake may lower the risk of coronary heart disease, but even this seems unclear with the results of recent studies.

Vitamin E and Coronary Heart Disease: One factor that can contribute to the narrowing of the arteries that feed the heart is the oxidation of LDL ("bad") cholesterol. The chemical change that occurs to LDL cholesterol when it is oxidized makes it more likely to promote atherosclerosis, or the buildup of cholesterol and fat in the arteries. Because vitamin E is carried in LDL, it may help prevent its oxidation and lower the risk of coronary heart disease.

Although some recent studies have found no link between vitamin E and coronary heart disease, some other studies have had encouraging results. Women with the highest intake of vitamin E (an average of about 200 IU per day) had a nearly 35 percent lower risk of heart disease than women with the lowest intake. Vitamin E from food alone, however, as not enough. Women needed to supplement food with vitamin E capsules to see any benefit.

To conclude, Taking vitamin E supplements may help lower the risk of heart disease in women, although more studies are needed before this is known for certain. But because it is very unlikely to have toxic effects even at fairly high doses and may prove beneficial. It is quite reasonable to consider taking a single 400 IU vitamin E tablet each day or a multivitamin containing vitamin E. However, it is important to remember that no supplement can replace a good diet and other healthy lifestyle choices.