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.
" Only Caution to balanced full spectrum Vitamin E Suplementation: Vitamin E has potentially harmful interaction with anticoagulant medications, due to Vitamin E having anti-platelet properties and potential to inhibit vital clot formation (Vitamin E complex may "thin" the blood.). Consult with a physician if you are using any anticoagulants or if you have clotting problems. Many surgeons recommend that the use of Vitamin E supplements be discontinued for up to two weeks prior to and following surgery."
Copyright (H.Brett) 2004
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With 30 years hands on experience exalting health, fitness and
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