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A vote in support of vitamin E
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SUZY COHEN
November 30, 2004
I take a vitamin E supplement (400 IU) every day. I just
read an article saying this dosage is harmful. If this is
true, I'll stop taking the supplement.
F.B., Sunrise, Fla.
Vitamin E is needed to sustain life and advance health.
Many well-designed trials have proven that vitamin E reduces
risk for heart disease, cancer, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's
and even the common cold.
The recent Johns Hopkins article was not a clinical trial.
A group of researchers sat down and analyzed results from
19 prior studies on vitamin E and drew their own conclusions.
Their review concludes that doses over 400 IU of vitamin
E can lead to a person dying earlier than someone not taking
vitamin E. Conclusions were drawn from a select group of
studies where participants were extremely ill. One would
assume the life span for these people to be shorter. Decades
of research have proven vitamin E is safe and effective.
Vitamin E refers to a family of eight different substances
called tocopherols and tocotrienols, each having their own
subfamilies called alpha, beta, delta and gamma. Each has
a powerful but different effect on the body. Because alpha
tocopherol is thought to have the most biological activity,
it is most often used in clinical trials.
Herein lies an inherent flaw. How can scientists definitively
determine whether vitamin E really affects the body when
studies typically use only the alpha portion of the molecule?
Remember, E refers to a family of eight compounds. Furthermore,
some researchers feel the gamma portion may be even more
heart-protective than alpha. And genetics have an impact
on how well a person uses and stores vitamin E. None of
this was analyzed.
We know natural forms of vitamin E are better used than
synthetic forms. Of course, you shouldn't overdo any nutrient,
because it throws the whole system out of kilter, but it's
safe to continue taking vitamin E. I think a mixed blend
is best. Most experts still agree 400 to 800 IU per day
is safe.
READER'S COMMENT: Please tell your readers that stress
urinary incontinence may be solved by eliminating foods
containing artificial sweeteners. Six weeks after doing
this, I was cured.
S.G., Gastonia, N.C.
Suzy Cohen, a registered pharmacist, writes for Tribune
Media Services. To contact her, visit www.dearpharmacist.com
or write c/o Tribune Media Services, 2225 Kenmore Ave.,
Suite 114, Buffalo, NY 14207. This information is not intended
to treat, cure or diagnose your condition.
Copyright (c) 2004, Newsday, Inc.
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