In this issue we will be talking about the special effects of vitamin E, chemical name tocopherol from the Greek tokos – offspring – and phero – to bear.  Tocopherol literally means “to bear children.”  We will also tell you about the properties of the vitamin as well as what kind of vitamin E to use and how much vitamin E you may want to take.

All known deficiencies of the vitamin seem to relate to the impaired use of oxygen by the tissues. Conversely, the addition of vitamin E enhances bodily functions by improving the use of oxygen by the tissues.  One effect of this basic characteristic is that vitamin E functions as a muscle stimulant. This accounts in part for its beneficial effect on the heart. Because it also acts as a vasodilator (opens the blood vessels), it allows a richer blood flow to the capillaries, again enhancing the heart and muscle functions. As you would expect, this positive effect on the muscles increases stamina. Vitamin E makes a perfect partner with octacosanol (last issue), especially for the athlete.

A second important effect of vitamin E's relationship with oxygen is its function as an antioxidant. In this capacity it stabilizes red blood cell membrane by protecting it from oxidation, thus slowing down the rate of cellular destruction. It also protects lung tissue from pollutants which cause free radical damage. Its performance as an antioxidant is augmented by the use of vitamin A and the mineral selenium.  Vitamin E also lends itself to the more rapid healing of burns, as well as lessening the formation of scar tissue.  Topical vitamin E oil is good for this as well.

Vitamin E is one of the earliest researched and studied vitamins, second only to vitamin C.  “Way back when,” in his major work on nutrition, Every Woman's Book (June, 1980), Paavo Airola states that for normal, healthy functions of all the organs and glands, women need a minimum of 100 IU of vitamin E daily. He emphasizes that taking larger doses, 600-1600 IU, "...has a dramatic effect on the reproductive organs.."  Ray LeBlanc, PhD, stresses the value of vitamin E in combating fibrocystic breast disease, also called cystic mastitis.  Dr. LeBlanc states that the odds are extremely high that most women will discover some degree of fibrocystic disease sometime during their lifetimes. The disease occurs in women between thirty and fifty and seems to be provoked by excessive or prolonged stress which throws off the normal hormone balance.  As the imbalance continues, the membrane lining the cysts begins to grow and the fibrous tissue inside thickens. Although nine out of ten of the resulting lumps are benign, they can cause pain and discomfort and they certainly are not natural to the body.  The normal balance of the hormones seems to be restored by vitamin E supplementation. Dr. LeBlanc reports that daily doses of approximately 400-­600 IU can greatly reduce not only the discomforts of breast cysts but also their size and number.  Regression usually takes one or two months.

Adelle Davis, a noted nutritionist, calls vitamin E "The Most Neglected Vitamin" in Let's Have Healthy Children. She emphasizes the point that all children need vitamin E, especially newborns and infants. It protects them against lung, heart and retinal damage, prevents anemia, and guards against mental retardation from oxygen starvation.

Blood analyses show that all newborns are extremely low in vitamin E. This is probably because pregnancy and lactation demand increased amounts of the vitamin from the mother. Since vitamin E is stored in very small amounts in the body, the mother may have limited amounts of this vitamin available for the baby.

Recently vitamin E has been found to be especially important to premature babies. These infants must have extra oxygen to survive and many of them were blinded by damage to the blood vessels of the eyes. Helen Mintz Hittner, MD, Texas Children's Hospital halted this effect in every single infant treated by large doses of vitamin E. Dr. Hittner says that any babies requiring oxygen should also be given vitamin E.  Premature infants also risk a particular type of anemia, hemolytic anemia, called "vitamin E deficiency anemia" by some. Vitamin E supplementation helps this condition

This anemia also occurs in babies who receive formula lacking in vitamin E. Pediatricians who have done research on vitamin E deficiencies recommend that all bottle fed babies receive vitamin E supplementation. Breast fed babies will receive enough if the mother has adequate supplies but these children should also be supplemented after weaning. Many pediatric nutritionists conclude that vitamin E supplements for all children should be continued into adulthood

Adding adequate amounts of vitamin E to the diet also allows for greater storage of vitamin A, plus it has a sparing effect on vitamin A so that less A is needed when E is present. On the other hand, E works as a catalyst with vitamin C and when vitamin C is present, less vitamin E is necessary. Vitamin E likewise functions with the mineral selenium, which is a free radical scavenger. This means that when there is not enough vitamin E to protect the cells from peroxidation (interaction with oxygen, forming free radicals), the selenium will bond with the molecular fragments known as free radicals rendering them harmless. Selenium becomes toxic in the body without the presence of vitamin E.  As you can see, these nutrients need to be in balance to do their job effectively.

Because vitamin E is fat-soluble it is attracted to fatty cellular struc­tures, especially to the membranes surrounding the cell as well as to the tiny structures, organelles, within the cell. It is stored in minute amounts in the liver, fatty tissues, heart, muscles, testes, uterus, blood, adrenal glands and pituitary. However, unlike other fat-soluble vitamins, it is stored for short periods of time.   Studies report that the vitamin leaves the bloodstream entirely after three days.  Vitamin E will reach maximal levels in the blood four to nine hours after taking it. Then it distributes itself rapidly and uniformly throughout the entire system. It is suggested that, if you chose to take more than 200 IU. daiIy, that you divide your doses.  It would seem to be the most beneficial to limit doses to 400 IU. at a time.  Because only minute amounts can be stored, there is little chance of vitamin E toxicity.

There are some substances that are destructive to vitamin E. These are called "antagonists," and include inorganic iron (ferrous sulfate, found in some supplements), estrogen, including birth control pills, and chlorine. To be useful, vitamin E needs to be taken 12 hours before or after the antagonists.  Organic iron, like that found in foods or in organic iron salts like ferrous fumarate and iron amino acid chelate, does not interrupt the action of vitamin E.

D-alpha tocopherol is the natural form of vitamin E. The synthetic form is labeled dl-alpha tocopherol. You have to look carefully to spot that small l beside the d.  The synthetic form is a “mirror image” of the natural form and, although it is much less expensive, it takes far more of the supplement to be effective.  Although there are eight forms of tocopherol known, the alpha form accounts for eighty percent of the total activity of the vitamin. More recent research indicates that the "mixed tocopherols" are the preferred form and we have switched to these in our practice at our store and have them available.  Always use the natural vitamin E.  It is less expensive in the long run since you have to take less to be effective.

Vitamin E requires bile or dietary fat for absorption from the small intestine. However, since some people have a difficult time digesting fats, they can use the dry form of the vitamin which is often combined with pectin to help digestion. We do know that more of the oily form finds its way to the bloodstream. There is an aqueous liquid form of vitamin E available also.

The highest source in whole food form is wheat germ oil. It is also found in polyunsaturated oils, almonds, peanuts and seeds, avocados, tomatoes, asparagus, mangoes, green leafy vegetables and, of course, wheatgerm that you sprinkle on your cereal. People who are allergic to wheat should take vitamin E supplements derived from soy (this is the source for most vitamin E).

Health is not everything, but without spiritual and physical health, everything is nothing.  Until next time we meet – may God Bless you with good health, with a little help from you!

The information in these columns is for educational purposes only and not to diagnose or treat any medical condition.  Please consult your physician for any serious condition or before discontinuing any prescription drug.

Len Rossi, ND has been a proponent of Natural Healing for 30 years.  After a 25-year career as a pro wrestler, Len earned his Doctor Of Naturopathy degree in 1982 and is a Licensed Massage Therapist.  Len can be reached for a consultation or massage appointment at 373-9242 or visit his store at 1605 Franklin Rd in Brentwood. Email us at poppy97@comcast.net.