Vitamin E - The Eight Faces - Medicine-Plants.com

Vitamin E - The Eight Faces

10/10/03

Without vitamin E, we essentially turn rancid. Vitamin E is fat-soluble, that is, able to penetrate the fatty areas of our tissues. As it does so, it neutralizes toxic oxidants and protects oxidant-sensitive membranes. Thus vitamin E is justifiably known as an antioxidant, and for helping to prevent age-associated increases in oxidative insults to our bodies.

In reality, vitamin E comes in eight different forms, all of which are derived from plants. The eight E's are divided into two classes:

The tocopherols consist of 4 types of vitamin E, alpha, beta, gamma, and delta. The features distinguishing each are slight chemical differences (location and number of methyl groups) on its core structure.

The tocotrienols are virtually identical to the tocopherols in structure, except for the presence of 3 unsaturated bonds (hence trienol). Alpha, beta, gamma and delta tocotrienols are more permeable to cell membranes because of their unsaturated bonds. This chemical difference imparts certain advantages over the less permeable tocopherols.

The most potent antioxidant of the group is alpha tocopherol. For reasons still unknown, this form of E represents the bulk of vitamin E present in our serum. This is puzzling, since the plants we normally consume contain much more gamma tocopherol. Scientists originally speculated that our bodies require high serum levels of alpha tocopherol and have developed mechanisms to retain it. Thus, multi-vitamins almost always contain alpha tocopherol.

It is becoming more evident, however, that all forms of E are important and that they serve very different functions. Laboratory experiments have indicated that gamma and alpha tocopherol may complement one another with respect to antioxidant protection. Alpha tocopherol is most effective at neutralizing oxygen-based free radicals, whereas gamma tocopherol does best with nitrogen-based free radicals. Both types of radicals are destructive to our bodies.

The vitamin E offered on the market is either man-made or isolated from plants. Man-made (or synthetic) vitamin E is designated on the bottle's label as DL alpha tocopherol. The D and L are isomers or mirror images of each other. Only the D form is representative of the natural vitamin E alpha tocopherol. There is considerable controversy as to whether the L form interferes with the natural D form in the body. Some researchers believe it may be toxic.

Natural vitamin E is usually labeled D alpha tocopherol but almost always contains all 4 tocopherols. Typically, the bottle's label mentions only D alpha tocopherol because of the expense the manufacturer would incur to assay for the presence and quantity of the other three. The 4 tocopherols are derived from soybean oil or, less commonly, wheat germ. The 4 tocotrienols are usually prepared from extracts of palm oil or rice bran.

Vitamin E deficiency is not common, but it can occur with poor nutrition and/or a problem with absorption of fats. The RDA for vitamin E is 30 International Units (IU) per day for DL and 22 IU/day for D alpha tocopherol. A diet totally devoid of fats can result in a deficiency of E, since some fat is required for absorption from the intestines.

Fragile red blood cells are a common characteristic of E deficiency. Blood cell membranes, normally protected by E, tend to oxidize and rupture easily. Recent studies indicate vitamin E may help in slowing cognitive decline in Alzheimer's patients, and it may even lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Significant evidence also supports the vitamin as important for protecting tissues from the destructive action of oxidants and consequent disease, including heart disease, cataracts, cancer, neurological disorders and disorders of the muscular system. The incidence of these diseases increases with age. Thus it is important to obtain enough E to attenuate the age-associated destructive process.

Vitamin E is more than an antioxidant. Growing evidence supports specific roles for the different forms of vitamin E. For example, recent research demonstrates gamma tocopherol to be capable of blocking the activity of an enzyme involved in producing cellular mediators of inflammation (prostaglandins), which can lead to disease. Other tocopherols, including the more popular alpha, are largely ineffective in this context.
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Alpha tocotrienol has now been shown in cell culture experiments to protect cells of the nervous system from the degenerative action created by the overproduction of the neurotransmitter, glutamate. This chemical, better known as monosodium glutamate, is used as a food enhancer and is infamous for its reputation as the agent responsible for the Chinese restaurant syndrome (bad headaches, etc.) in those who consume too much of it. Normally, an excess of this neurotransmitter activates a neurotoxic enzyme (12-LOX). Tocotrienol, in very small amounts, stops this toxic enzyme in its tracks, thus potentially protecting the nervous tissue.

The unique behavior of the different forms of vitamin E helps explain the advice of nutritionists to consume a variety of fruits, vegetables, legumes and grains. All are good sources of the various forms of vitamin E. Grains should preferably be non-refined. The tocotrienols, as well as other micronutrients, are present in the rice bran, which is lost in processing. People on low-fat diets, such as vegans, are often deficient in vitamin E and should consider taking supplements.

How much E should one take, if any? The upper safe limit for D alpha tocopherol is 1,500 IU/day, according to The Institute of Medicine. The major danger in taking high levels of E is its capacity to inhibit the adherence of platelets to the walls of blood vessels. This is positive for cardiovascular health in those with over-active clotting, but too much E can cause bleeding, especially for people taking other anticoagulants, such as aspirin or coumadin. If you are inclined to take vitamin E, 400 IU/day of natural vitamin E is a reasonable target. However, it is advisable to consult with your physician before taking this supplement.

Finally, the E vitamins function as antioxidants only in their reduced, non-oxidized state. In a subsequent newsletter we will describe how the cells of the body maintain these antioxidants in their reduced or active state. We will also describe how the versatile antioxidant, alpha lipoic acid, functions to recycle these and other antioxidants to maintain cellular health as we age.
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REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION FROM
Benjamin V. Treadwell Ph.D.
Scientific Advisor to Juvenon Inc.
www.JUVENON.COM

Be well,
Medicine Plants™

Health Disclaimer! The information presented on this site should not be construed as personal medical advice or instruction. You should consult appropriate health professionals on any matter relating to your health and well-being. The information and opinions provided here are believed to be accurate and sound, based on the best judgment available to the authors, but readers who fail to consult appropriate health authorities assume the risk of any injuries. The publisher is not responsible for errors or omissions.

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