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Author:
DocStuey



Making Sense of the New Study...

It’s only when many trials were combined into one big
meta-analysis("supertrial") that it became evident.

There is ample proof that Alpha-Tocopherol
can become deadly, NOT Vitamin E!

Alpha Tocopherol is Not "Vitamin E"

The focal point in understanding an apparent change of heart, a growing rift within the Health Community, Nutrition and Supplement Industry, and the Risk/Benefit ratio of taking Vitamin E Supplements, is one of deceit perpetuated on the population at large. To understand this, you’ll need to realize that supplements commonly labeled "vitamin E", including those used in nineteen clinical trials which were the basis of a meta-analysis, underlying the newly realized increase in death rate due to high dose supplementation, are mislabeled and misleading. They do not contain "vitamin E", the simple fact being, there’s no such thing. Alpha-tocopherol is no more "vitamin E" than folic acid, riboflavin or pyridoxine on their own can be called "vitamin B". As it is with "vitamin B", "vitamin E" is a complex of several member molecules, each having an important role and proper ratio. The Vitamin E Complex is a family of eight molecules, four tocopherols and four tocotrienols. These eight E-complex family members work synergistically, within the body to support healthy function of the organs, tissues, and provide protection from free radical damage; as well, they support the assimilation and utilization of other nutrients.
Even "vitamin E" sold as complete "with mixed tocopherols", still delivers only half of the E-complex, leaving you missing all four highly beneficial tocotrienols. On top of this, the ratios of the different tocopherols contained in most "mixed tocopherols" supplements are at best, dangerously unbalanced. These products typically contain an average five times as much alpha-tocopherol as the other three tocopherols combined. These such formulations pretty much guarantees that you won’t gain any health benefits from these other vitamin E molecules.

It has now become fact based knowledge, that excessive supplementation of alpha-tocopherol depletes your body of other E-complex vitamins, cheating you of their benefits. In fact, when alpha-tocopherol is taken at doses typical of most "vitamin E" supplements, counterbalancing it with the proper ratio, or even an equal amount of the other E vitamin E complex, isn’t enough to prevent this supplement induced deficiency. The excessive alpha-tocopherol still drives out gamma, leaving your levels around 30% below that of a the average, non-supplemented diet. Not only does this lower the level of other E-complex molecules in your body, too much alpha-tocopherol can directly counteract some of the unique effects of the other E vitamin molecules if they exist at all in your diet or supplements. So how much is too much? The “high dose” referred to in the trials was (> 400 IU) and the results were clear: people taking 400 IU or more of alpha-tocopherol per day, actually increase their risk of death.

Clearly, the only way to supplement with any "Vitamin E" is with a properly balanced complete E-Complex pharmaceutical grade supplement... OR NONE AT ALL! You can get a fair amount of naturally balanced complete Vitamin E Complex from a healthy nutrition plan, once you learn how. You don’t need to eat eight pounds of veggies including one of every color, two pounds of mixed nuts and grains, three of fruit, etc… each and every day as seen on Infomercials, or ads for supplements, to remain healthy and out of harms way… let’s be realistic!

With today’s helter skelter North American Lifestyles, it is prudent to take well balanced vitamin and mineral supplements. Before doing so, it is imperative that you develop an understanding of what to look for. When it comes to Vitamin E, better safe than sorry! We have found, based on what we know about the content of the E-Complex molecules found naturally occurring in a balanced healthy diet, there should be at a minimum, two to three times as much gamma-tocopherol as there is alpha-tocopherol, measured in mg. (milligrams) not IU (International Units, the common unit of measurement for certain vitamins). To convert IU’s of alpha-tocopherol to mg., simply multiply the IU measurement by a factor of (0.66), alpha-tocopherol is the only member of the E-Complex family vitamins measured in IU’s. As far as the tocotrienols, you’ll want at least one tenth as much in mg.’s, as the combined total of tocopherols.

| Article Keywords: Nutrient Basics

A Quick Note From The Publisher... If you like the article above, you may be interested in the following article which is also related to Nutrient Basics... Some Useful Vitamins That Lower Blood Sugar Certain vitamins and minerals have been found beneficial in lowering blood sugar and thus useful in the treatment of diabetes. Vitamin B complex - Vitamins of the B group are valuable in the treatment of diabetes. Despite and adequate intake of these vitamins, diabetics often have abnormally small amounts of vitamin B in their blood because of high urinary loss of exhibit symptoms of vitamin B deficiency. Marked clinical improvement has been reported in patients of diabetes with only 16000 units of daily supplements of vitamin B complex. Because these vitamins help reduce blood fat and cholesterol, they should be generously supplied at all times. Thiamine or Vitamin B1 - Of the various vitamins of the B group, thiamine or vitamin B1 and pyridoxine or vitamin B6 is of special value in diabetes. Diabetic diet inadequate in vitamin B1, often leads to the development of neuritis, which is relieved as soon as large amounts of this vitamin are given. Vitamin B1 is said to be particularly valuable in preventing damage to the brain during diabetic acidosis. The greater the insulin requirement, the higher is the requirement for vitamin B1, pantothenic acid or vitamin B5 and biotin or vitamin B8. The primary natural vegetable sources of thiamine are wheat germ, brewer’s yeast, the outer layers of rice, wheat and other whole grain cereals, pulses, nuts, peas, lime, legumes, dark green leafy vegetables, banana and apple. Those of pantothenic acid are wheat germ, whole grain bread, green vegetables and peanuts. Biotin is found in brewer’s yeast, rice bran, rice germ, rice polishing and peanut butter. Pyridoxine or Vitamin B6 - When diet is inadequate in vitamin B6 or pyridoxine, and essential amino acid tryptophan, is converted into a substance known as xanthurenic acid. It has...