Vitamin E

[~MaryO~]

Dearest has aways recommended Vitamin E on the Power Surge Recommendations Page

 

Here's some more good news about Vitamin E from http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tm....ries_dc

 

 

 

Vitamin E May Help Keep Arteries Clear in Women

Mon Sep 9, 1:24 PM ET

 

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Women who take in less vitamin E may be at greater risk of heart disease and stroke, even if they do not have other risk factors, Italian researchers report.

 

Their study found that women with the greatest intake of vitamin E had the least plaque at the carotid bifurcation--a Y-shaped branch in the arteries in the neck where plaque build-up usually begins. This build-up, known as atherosclerosis, is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke.

 

The findings suggest that vitamin E--found in nuts, olive oil and some vegetables--may provide protection against the early stages of plaque build-up, according to Dr. Paolo Rubba from Federico II University in Naples, Italy, and colleagues.

 

The study is published in the September issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition).

 

Rubba and colleagues examined 310 women 30 to 69 years and measured their blood levels of vitamins A, C, E and other antioxidants. They also interviewed the study participants about their medical history, drug use and personal habits, and the frequency with which they consumed various foods. Women were then divided into three groups according to their intake of vitamin E-rich foods. None of the women were taking vitamin supplements.

 

Women who reported consuming the most vitamin E-rich food had the lowest build-up of plaque in their carotid bifurcation, the investigators found. Among postmenopausal women, those who consumed the least vitamin E were nearly three times more likely to have arterial plaque regardless of age, smoking habits, blood pressure, body mass index (BMI) and other heart disease risk factors.

 

Similarly, those with low blood levels of vitamin E relative to cholesterol were about twice as likely to have carotid plaques, the report indicates.

 

While the findings suggest an association between vitamin E intake and arterial plaque, it is still unclear exactly how vitamin E might prevent plaque build-up. Vitamin E is an antioxidant, meaning it neutralizes the effects of cell-damaging molecules called free radicals that may play a role in plaque formation. However, the study found no association between other antioxidant vitamins such as A, C and beta-carotene and arterial plaque.

 

More research is needed into vitamin E's potential plaque-fighting mechanisms, the researchers conclude.

 

SOURCE: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2002;76:582-587.