In a study of approximately 90,000 nurses, a reduction of heart disease by 30% to 40% was found in the nurses with the highest levels of vitamin E. The source of vitamin E was found to consist of both a supplement and good natural sources.

A study in Finland of 5,133 men and women concluded that increased dietary intake of vitamin E decreased the death rate from heart disease. Another study reported by the American Heart Association in their journal Circulation found that “women taking regular doses of vitamin E or Tocopherol were 21% less likely to suffer a blood clot”.

There seems to be a lot of confusion about vitamin E with conflicting research on the subject. Contradictory research reports are probably due to inadequate isolation of all factors and variables.  Since there are 8 forms of the vitamin and since synthetics and single forms are often tested, the picture is not clear on vitamin E’s efficacy.

Natural sources have more factors than single supplements. Sometimes there is a symbiotic (mutually beneficial) relationship of ingredients in the mix.  There are catalysts, minerals, phytonutrients and other unknown factors that are not isolated but influence the vitamin’s action and the results reported.

I believe the weight of evidence for vitamin E research shows it is a good antioxidant, reducing the free radical damage and inflammation. This anti inflammatory aspect is especially important in the arteries and lining of the heart.

As it is frequently reported in the medical literature, LDL cholesterol collects and forms a dangerous plaque when there is inflammation in the endothelial (blood vessel) linings. It is this accumulation of plaque that causes coronary heart disease, higher blood pressure and ultimately more heart attacks and strokes.

My impression is, since drug companies pay for much of the research, they will cherry pick and promote publishing any studies that show favor of heart drugs over supplements  that are in direct competition.

I question the conduct and well controlled process of their studies on the supplements, because of conflict of interest. Cardiac drugs are a blockbuster source of income for cholesterol, beta blocker and high blood pressure type drugs.

Cognitive decline is another area where vitamin E is found to be beneficial.  Certainly one of attributes of vitamin E that helps here is its ability to reduce inflammation…a driver in the formation of plaque in the brain. Alzheimer’s is one such cognitive function diminished by deficient vitamin E.

Alzheimer’s is reportedly reduced according to the “Vitamin Doctor”, David Juan, M.D. He cites a clinical trial called the “Rotterdam Study”.  It followed 5395 participants, 55 years and older. None were diagnosed with dementia at the outset.  During the follow-up period of 9 years dementia did develop in 465 of the subjects.  Of those, 365 were diagnosed as having Alzheimer’s.  The researchers found the subjects with the highest vitamin E levels were 25% less likely to develop Alzheimer’s…Denis Van Loan D.D.S.

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