Antioxidant - Vitamin E
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is the most abundant fat-soluble antioxidant
in the body and one of the most efficient chain-breaking
antioxidants available. Primary defender against oxidation.
It has the most effect on lipid peri-oxidation. Vitamin
E an essential antioxidant to protect cell membranes
from lipid irritation and breakdown and counteracts
some of the negative effects of air pollution chemicals
and metals.
Sources: Vitamin E is found in nuts, green
leafy vegetables, vegetable and fish oils, whole grains
(esp. wheat germ), fortified cereals, apricots, whole
grains, asparagus and seeds..
Current recommended daily allowance (RDA) is 15 IU
per day for men and 12 IU per day for women. By defending
against LDL oxidation and artery-clogging plaque formation,
Vitamin E may protect against cardiovascular disease.
As an antioxidant, Vitamin E:
- protects essential fatty acids and red blood cells
from oxidising.
- aids anti-blood clotting agenst
- promotes normal red-blood cell formation. V
- promotes healthy, moist skin
- supports development of nerve and muscle function.
- protect Vitamin A stores in the body
- prevents and reduces skin pigment spots, which
normally increases with age, hence it's anti-aging
properties.
- preventing dry and dull hair as well as possibly
hair-loss
- speed the formation of new skin
Types of Vitamin E
The two main groups of Vitamin E are:
- Tocopherols
- Tocotrienols
Tocopherols - There are many forms
of tocopherols (Vitamin E); the most active form of
tocopherols is being the alphas.
Other types include the beta, gamma and delta found
present in food supplies.
Tocopherols are found in conjunction with plant oils,
concentrated in grains and seeds as wheat germ oil,
sunflower seed oil, etc.
Tocotrienols - are also divided into
l: alpha, beta, gamma, and delta, all having vitamin
E activity - reportedly 40 to 60 times more potent as
antioxidan.
Tocotrienols have also demonstrated some effects in
lowering cholesterol.
Natural forms of Vitamin E, although more expensive,
are much more effective than cheaper synthetics.
Vitamin E Products
Vitamin E can be taken orally to benefit the whole
body, or applied topically to the skin, especially effective
in wound healing.
Vitamin E is most commonly supplied in soft capsules;
which can become rancid if not stored correctly, or
for too long.
For this reason, the preferred form of Vitamin E is
in dry powdered form (no suspending oil). Although this
form (D-alpha tocopherol succinate) is the most expensive,
it is much more powerful and effective as an antioxidant
.
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