Super Vitamin E

The latest scientific reports, plus the Foundation's recommendations on how they can help you!

Vitamin E Benefits Glutathione System from Reduced Blood Flow

This study compared age dependent differences in the susceptibility of the glutathione system to renal ischemia, and the protective effects of treatment with vitamin E. Vitamin E showed beneficial effects on the glutathione system in adult rats, whereas the vitamin was without effect on the immature rats' glutathione system.
Experimental and Toxicologic Pathology, Vol. 49, Is. 1-2, 1997

Suggestions: This study supports recent reports that older people need vitamin supplements.

Vitamin-C, E and Retinol Prevent DNA Adduct Formation

Mice were pre-treated with vitamins E, A and C prior to a single administration of two toxins, ochratoxin A and zearalenone. These chemicals are implicated in numerous diseases in farm animals and are genotoxic (damaging to DNA). In the control group, DNA adducts were detected in mouse and rat kidneys after a single administration of ochratoxin, and in mice organs after zearalenone treatment, which induces hepatocellular adenomas. Pretreatment with vitamin E decreased DNA adducts in the kidneys by 80 percent, while vitamin A decreased it by 70 percent and Vitamin-C decreased it by 90 percent.
Cancer Letters, Vol. 114, Is. 1-2, 1997

Suggestions: Take these vitamins to help prevent cancer.

Vitamin E and Diabetes

Vitamin E has been shown to decrease discyglycerol (DAG) levels and prevent the activation of protein kinase C, which is associated with retinal and renal dysfunction in diabetes. This study investigated the ability of vitamin E to prevent glomerular hyperfiltration and increased albuminuria as well as protein kinase C activities in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The findings suggested that the increases in DAG-protein kinase C pathway play an important role in the development of glomerular hyperfiltration and increased albuminuria in diabetes, and that vitamin E treatment may prevent the early changes in diabetic renal dysfunctions by normalizing the increases in DAG and PKC levels in glomerular cells.
Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, Vol. 8, Is. 3, 1997

Suggestions: Vitamin E protects against kidney disease and diabetic complications. Take 400 to 800 IU a day of vitamin E.

Vitamin E Succinate Induces Breast Cancer Cell Death

Vitamin E succinate, a derivative of the fat-soluble vitamin d-alpha- tocopherol (natural vitamin E), inhibited growth and induced apoptosis (cell death) of estrogen receptor-negative human breast cancer cells. These findings suggest that vitamin E succinate may be of clinical use in the treatment of aggressive human breast cancers, particularly those that are refractory (resistant) to anti-estrogen therapy.
Cancer Research, Vol. 57, Is. 5, 1997

Suggestions: Take 400 to 800 IU a day of natural vitamin E (d-alpha- tocopheryl succinate) to help prevent breast cancer. Consider higher doses under the care of a physician if you have breast cancer. The form of vitamin E (succinate) used in this study is the form of natural vitamin E offered by the Life Extension Buyers Club.

Increased Interleukin-6 in Brain Tissue of Adult Mice

The cytokine interleukin-6 has been implicated as a contributor to injury in several neurological disorders. The amounts released in the cerebral cortical tissue of mice of varying ages were found to increase with age. The results suggest that normal development and aging are correlated with an increase in interleukin-6 production that may be due to shifts in levels of stimulatory or inhibitory regulatory controls.
Mechanisms of Aging and Development, Vol. 92, Is. 2-3, 1996

Suggestions: Take DHEA to help suppress interleukin-6 production. Studies show that DHEA protects against neurological aging via several different mechanisms.

Vitamin E and Melanoma

In this study, a non-malignant monkey kidney and a malignant mouse melanoma cell line were supplemented with of alpha-tocopherol acid succinate (vitamin E succinate). The melanoma cells showed significant decreases in cell proliferation, accompanied by a significant decrease of free radical levels and lipid peroxidation.
Free Radical Biology and Medicine, Vol. 22, Is. 7, 1997

Suggestions: Take 800 IU or more a day of vitamin E under the care of a physician if you have melanoma. Make sure it is the succinate form offered by the Life Extension Buyers Club.

Green Tea Modulates Proteins

The influence of green tea catechins was tested on doxorubicin-resistant murine (mouse) sarcoma and human colon carcinoma cell lines. Green tea showed a sensitizing effect on the cell lines treated with doxorubicin, making the cancer cells more vulnerable to this cancer chemotherapy drug.
Anti-Cancer Drugs, Vol. 8, Is .3, 1997

Suggestions: Cancer chemotherapy patients should consider taking each day four to 10 decaffeinated green tea extract capsules (standardized to contain 100 mg of polyphenols) under the care of a physician.

CLA and Beta-Carotene Modulate Lymphocyte and Macrophage Function

In this study, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) alone stimulated mitogen-induced lymphocyte proliferation, lymphocyte cytotoxic activity and macrophage bactericidal activity. Beta-carotene stimulated the cytotoxicity of lymphocytes and increased superoxide production by peritoneal macrophages. When present together, CLA and beta-carotene interacted in an additive manner to further enhance lymphocyte cytotoxicity and spontaneous lymphocyte proliferation. In addition, beta-carotene was able to negate the inhibitory action of CLA on the phagocytic activity of macrophages. Also, CLA and beta-carotene together seemed to suppress mitogen-induced lymphocyte proliferation. Thus, CLA and beta-carotene act to modulate different aspects of cellular host defense.
Anticancer Research, Vol. 17, Is. 2A, 1997

Suggestions: Those seeking to boost immune function should take 3,000 mg of CLA and 25,000 IU of beta-carotene every day.

Vitamin E Slows HIV-1 Progression

The risk of progression to three key outcomes in HIV-1 infection was examined in association with serum vitamin E levels. The three outcomes are:
1) first AIDS diagnosis;
2) T-cell decline to less than 200; and
3) mortality. Men with the highest serum levels of vitamin E, greater than or equal to 23.5 mu mol/l, showed a 34 percent decrease in risk of progression to AIDS.
AIDS, Vol. 11, Is. 5, 1997

Suggestions: If you are infected with HIV, take at least 800 IU a day of vitamin E along with the other nutrients recommended in our HIV Protocol.

Vitamin E Protects Skeletal Muscle During Surgery

Two groups undergoing aortic surgery were examined after administration of vitamin E to one group. Surgical-induced ischemia increased the neutrophil infiltration in muscle fibers of untreated patients. Reperfusion led to a significant increase in malondialdehyde content and to inter-myofibrillar edema and mitochondrial swelling. In the patients treated with vitamin E, the malondialdehyde content was not increased, the neutrophil infiltration was minimal, and the ultrastructural injuries were significantly reduced. Conclusion: vitamin E can reduce the oxidative muscle damage from ischemia-reperfusion during aortic surgery.
American Journal of Surgery, Vol. 173, Is. 3, 1997

Suggestions: Take vitamin E, Melatonin and other antioxidants before surgery to help minimize damage from ischemia (reduced blood flow).

HDL Not Protective

High-density lipoprotein may not protect against coronary artery disease as some think. In one study, HDL levels did not correlate with a healthy heart in an 82-year-old woman. Despite elevated HDL and normal LDL cholesterol, the woman had heart disease. Using the methionine-loading test for homocysteine, doctors discovered that the woman had highly elevated homocysteine levels. Homocysteine has been shown to be a strong, independent predictor of heart disease and stroke. The woman's homocysteine level on a normal homocysteine test was within the normal range. According to the report, 28 percent of people with heart disease and other vascular disease will have an abnormal result on the methionine-loading test, compared with 1 percent of healthy people. The authors concluded, "Despite the protective effects of very high HDL cholesterol, atherosclerosis can still occur in the setting of hyperhomocysteinemia."
Am J Cardiol, 79: 705. Also, Superko HR, 1997

Suggestions: Even people with cholesterol levels considered "safe" can suffer a major cardiovascular event if their homocysteine levels are too high.