Monograph

Encourage heart health, improve immunity, and discover healthy skin. Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin with antioxidant properties that protect cell membranes from oxidative stress. With its rich source of vitamin E compounds, NUTRAscriptives® Vitamin E w/Mixed Tocopherols provides health benefits that are less likely to be obtained through synthetic or simplified vitamin E products.
 

Description

NUTRAscriptives® Vitamin E w/Mixed Tocopherols provides optimum health benefits that are not typically found in other vitamin E products. The American-sourced formula contains a rich source of alpha-tocopherols, along with commonly excluded beta, delta, and gamma tocopherols that have strong antioxidant activity.

Research

Inflammation

Healthy respiratory function relies on antioxidants to scavenge the proliferation of oxidative stress that comes from contact with environmental pollution. One study gave vitamins E and C, or a placebo, to 117 children from Mexico City with nasal inflammation. Results indicated these antioxidants protected the subjects' respiratory health that would otherwise be injured from the excessive contact with ozone pollutants.[1]

Antioxidant Activity

Exposure to environmental toxins can have damaging effects on the liver and brain. One study evaluated the role of vitamin E in protecting these vital organs from oxidative stress and tissue damage in rats. Results indicated vitamin E supplementation prevented lipid peroxidation and tissue damage in rats exposed to toxic pesticides.[2]

Another study evaluated the role of vitamin E in cell-mediated immunity among 26 healthy volunteers. The study indicated vitamin E supported the proliferation of T-lymphocytes and T-helper cells to support immune function and reduce oxidative stress.[3]

Cardiovascular Function

Studies have indicated vitamin E has a positive role in healthy cardiovascular function, as it may inhibit the formation of oxidative stress and inflammation in the arterial walls.[4] In addition, vitamin E reduces platelet aggregation (clot formations) and lipid peroxidation.[5]

Animal studies have shown that vitamin E can improve endothelial function (function of interior blood vessel cells) by increasing nitric oxide activity that sustains normal heart function.[6]

Individuals consumed a high-fat meal with vitamin E (800 IU) to observe the effects on endothelial function, which is often damaged by a high-fat diet. Results indicated vitamin E helped to reduce endothelial damage among individuals consuming a high-fat diet.[7]

Insulin Balance

Insulin imbalances can impair normal endothelial function and overall cardiovascular health. A twelve-week study found that endothelial function improved in rats with insulin ailments when they were treated with vitamin E. Researchers concluded vitamin E reduced lipid peroxidation in the endothelium to improve cardiovascular health.[8]

A clinical trial found vitamin E (400 IU) reduced cardiovascular ailments in 1,434 subjects with insulin ailments. After 18 months, individuals receiving vitamin E had a significant reduction in cardiovascular problems often associated with insulin imbalances.[9]

Nervous System

The excessive formation of oxidative stress has a strong role in neurodegenerative ailments. Antioxidants, including vitamin E, can protect the nervous system from lipid peroxidation and protect healthy cellular membranes.[10] Furthermore, an animal study found vitamin E protected neurons from the proliferation of free radicals.[11]

Immune Function

Vitamin E deficiencies can lead to an increase in infections and abnormal cell growth, especially among older individuals experiencing decreased immunity. Vitamin E supplementation can sustain the immune system by supporting various immune functions.[12]

Research has indicated vitamin E can improve the immune response in elderly individuals. A one-year trial showed that vitamin E (200 IU/day) lowered the frequency of common colds in 617 elderly subjects.[13]

A similar study reviewed vitamin E's effect on various immune responses; including natural killer cells, lymphocytes, and blood neutrophils. Elderly subjects took vitamin E (200 mg/daily) for six months finding improvement in these immune functions, which lessened the susceptibility of infections.[14]

Additional Information – Dosage & Interactions

Suggested Use

As a dietary supplement, take one soft gel daily, or as directed by a physician.

Dosage

100 to 400 mg per day (149 to 596 IU per day)

Precautions

The maximum safe dosage of this supplement has not been determined for children, pregnant or nursing women, or those with severe liver or kidney disease. As with all supplement regimens, please consult your physician prior to use.

Stomach upset may occur in large doses. Individuals with blood clotting ailments or high blood pressure should consult their physician prior to supplementation. Pregnant women and nursing mothers should not take doses higher than the RDA amounts (15 mg or 22.4 IU). Excessive amounts of vitamin E may cause an upset stomach, headache, fatigue, or blurred vision.

Drug Interactions

Consult your physician before supplementing with Vitamin E if you are taking the following medications.

Anticoagulants (Warfarin), Amiodarone, Anticonvulsants, Colestipol, Cyclosporine, Isoniazid, Neomycin, Orlistat, Sucralfate, Zivudine.

*Statements made herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

References

[1] Sienra-Monge, JJ, Ramirez-Aguilar, M, et al. Antioxidant supplementation and nasal inflammatory responses among young asthmatics exposed to high levels of ozone. Clin Exp Immunol. 2004 Nov; 138(2): 317-322.

[2] Giray, B, Gurbay, A, Hincal, F. Cypermethrin-induced oxidative stress in rat brain and liver is prevented by vitamin E or allopurinol. Toxicol Lett. 2001 Jan; 118(3): 139-146.

[3] Lee, CY, Man-Fan Wan, J. Vitamin E supplementation improves cell-mediated immunity and oxidative stress of Asian men and women. J Nutr. 2000 Dec; 130(12): 2932-2937.

[4] Meydani, SN, Han, SN, Hamer, DH. Vitamin E and respiratory infection in the elderly. Ann NY Acad Sci. 2004 Dec; 1031: 214-222.

[5] Jialal, I, Traber, M, Devaraj, S. Is there a vitamin E paradox? Curr Opin Lipidol. 2001 Feb; 12(1): 49-53.

[6] Freedman, JE, Keaney, JF, Jr. Vitamin E inhibition of platelet aggregation is independent of antioxidant activity. J Nutr. 2001 Feb; 131(2): 374S-3747S.

[7] Katz, DL, Nawaz, H, Boukhalil, J, Giannamore, V, et al. Acute effects of oats and vitamin E on endothelial responses to ingested fat. Am J Prev Med. 2001 Feb; 20(2): 124-129.

[8] Cinar, MG, Ulker, S, et al. Effect of dietary vitamin E supplementation on vascular reactivity of thoracic aorta in streptozotocin-diabetic rats. Pharmacology. 2001 Jan; 62(1): 56-64.

[9] Milman, U, Blum, S, et al. Vitamin E supplementation reduces cardiovascular events in a subgroup of middle-aged individuals with both type 2 diabetes mellitus and the haptoglobin 2-2 genotype: a prospective double-blinded clinical trial. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2008 Feb; 28(2): 341-377.

[10] Sen, CK, Khanna, S, Roy, S. Tocotrienol: the natural vitamin E to defend the nervous system? Ann NY Acad Sci. 2004 Dev; 1031:127-142.

[11] Roghani, M, Behzadi, G. Neuroprotective effect of vitamin E on the early model of Parkinson's disease in rat: behavioral and histochemical evidence. Brain Res. 2001 Feb; 892(1): 211-217.

[12] Moriguchi, S, Muraga, M. Vitamin E and immunity. Vitam Horm. 2000; 59: 305-336.

[13] Meydani, M. Vitamin E and atherosclerosis: beyond prevention of LDL oxidation. J Nutr. 2001 Feb; 131(2): 366S-368S.

[14] De la Fuente, M, Hernanz, A, et al. Vitamin E ingestion improves several immune functions in elderly men and women. Free Radic Res. 2008 Mar; 42(3): 272-280.