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Are You Getting Enough Vitamin E?
By: Nancy Snyderman, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Not too many years ago I told my patients that if they ate good diets there was no reason to take vitamin supplements. I thought all you needed was right there in the American food supply. Well, that was then. I could not have been more wrong.

Today there is compelling evidence that some vitamins can make a huge difference in your health and well-being and some of these vitamins you cannot get in sufficient amounts just by eating a well-rounded diet. And even those of us who try to eat well fall short here and there -- so why not get some help from natural vitamins?

The recent darling of scientists is vitamin E. Last year I spoke to a few female cardiologists who said they were all taking vitamin E because of the evidence that it reduces the risk of heart disease. That was a good start for me. We know that a woman's risk of heart disease increases after menopause so many doctors are advising women to start taking natural vitamin E supplements in their perimenopausal years.

And a new study has shown that vitamin E can also reduce the risk of prostate cancer. The Journal of the National Cancer Institute reported that the risk of prostate cancer was reduced by one third and the death rate by 41 percent in men taking vitamin E compared to those taking a placebo.

The belief is that whether we are talking about heart disease or cancer, vitamin E exerts its effects because it is a powerful antioxidant. This means that is cuts down on our body's natural corrosion and reduces compounds called free radicals that can lead to disease and cancer.

Foods rich in vitamin E include vegetable oils like safflower, sunflower and cotton seed oils, and nuts like almonds. But you can't get enough vitamin E from these sources because you would increase the calories and fats in your diet. You can also find vitamin E in wheat germ and whole grains.

The dosages of vitamin E in the prostate study were high and there were some reported complications of cerebral hemorrhage because vitamin E is known to have some effect on blood clotting.

However, in smaller doses vitamin E seems safe. The recommended dose is 400 to 800 Iu a day. But as with any supplement, talk this over with your doctor to determine the pros and cons of adding this supplement to your diet and determine the best dose for you.

Nancy Snyderman, M.D., F.A.C.S.

http://www.drkoop.com/family/seniors/nutrition/vitamin_e.asp