Sunday, September 10, 2006
Vitamin E - Just Another Antioxidant?
Vitamin E exists in two different forms, tocopherol and tocotrienol. Both forms have four subcategories of alpha, beta, delta, and gamma. When doctors refer to Vitamin E, they are usually referring to alpha-tocopherol. Alpha-tocopherol has the highest quantity of all the other forms of Vitamin E in the human body; therefore it is the form with the most nutritional significance. Having Vitamin E in the body is a necessity, but it must come through nutritional intake, because is not naturally produced by the body. Alpha-tocopherol is a fat-soluble vitamin, which is mainly used as an antioxidant and is crucial in the destruction of free-radicals (oxidants in the body). Lipids (fats) are a major part of cell membranes and are susceptible to destruction by oxidants.
Lipoproteins are a lipid and protein substance that is used in the transportation of fats through the blood stream. Many types of heart disease and cancer are a result of lipoprotein destruction. Alpha-tocopherol assists in the protection of lipoprotein against oxidation. Unfortunately, when a molecule of alpha-tocopherol destroys an oxidant, it cannot do it again; hence humans need a constant intake of Vitamin E. Alpha-tocopherol is constantly being tested for uses in the body other than just that of an antioxidant. One such discovery is that it slows down blood platelet aggregation causing blood vessels to relax and open more freely.
Vitamin E is a component in creams aloes, and lotions because it helps with healing skin and minimizing the appearance of scars. Vitamin E can be received through many foods. Such foods include: wheat germ, peanut butter, many kids of nuts, vegetable and soybean oils, spinach, broccoli, kiwi, mango, and many others. If you do suffer from Vitamin E deficiency, it is probably due to malnutrition or an inability to absorb fat. Many infants, who are born prematurely, have low birth weight because of a Vitamin E deficiency and suffer from fat metabolism disorders. In a recent test of people who suffer from Alzheimer's disease, out of those who took large amounts of Vitamin E, 64-78% improved their condition.
Vitamins are sometimes measured in international units (IU), which is a measure of potency. The recommended daily allowance of Vitamin E in adults is about 8-10 milligrams or about 400 IU. Vitamin Depot Online.com offers Vitamin E Succinate, which is a good alpha-tocopherol supplement.
Lipoproteins are a lipid and protein substance that is used in the transportation of fats through the blood stream. Many types of heart disease and cancer are a result of lipoprotein destruction. Alpha-tocopherol assists in the protection of lipoprotein against oxidation. Unfortunately, when a molecule of alpha-tocopherol destroys an oxidant, it cannot do it again; hence humans need a constant intake of Vitamin E. Alpha-tocopherol is constantly being tested for uses in the body other than just that of an antioxidant. One such discovery is that it slows down blood platelet aggregation causing blood vessels to relax and open more freely.
Vitamin E is a component in creams aloes, and lotions because it helps with healing skin and minimizing the appearance of scars. Vitamin E can be received through many foods. Such foods include: wheat germ, peanut butter, many kids of nuts, vegetable and soybean oils, spinach, broccoli, kiwi, mango, and many others. If you do suffer from Vitamin E deficiency, it is probably due to malnutrition or an inability to absorb fat. Many infants, who are born prematurely, have low birth weight because of a Vitamin E deficiency and suffer from fat metabolism disorders. In a recent test of people who suffer from Alzheimer's disease, out of those who took large amounts of Vitamin E, 64-78% improved their condition.
Vitamins are sometimes measured in international units (IU), which is a measure of potency. The recommended daily allowance of Vitamin E in adults is about 8-10 milligrams or about 400 IU. Vitamin Depot Online.com offers Vitamin E Succinate, which is a good alpha-tocopherol supplement.
