Vitamin E BenefitsITHACA, New York, May
22, 2000. Cornell University's Medical College has published a special
report on "The Science of Eating Right: Vitamins, Minerals, and
Dietary Supplements" which says that of all vitamins, Vitamin E
"boasts the longest and most diverse list of potential benefits."
The report, published in book form by the editors of Women's Health
Advisor, a publication of Cornell's Weill Medical College Center for
Women's Healthcare, focuses on seven medical conditions it says can
receive benefit from Vitamin E. They are:
- Heart disease -
"The most well-documented benefit of Vitamin E is cardiovascular
protection."
- Diabetes - "People
with diabetes are more prone to developing heart disease and other
vascular (blood-vessel related) problems prematurely, and Vitamin
E appears to have special benefits for them."
- Asthma - "As
an antioxidant, Vitamin E could theoretically reduce asthma risk
by minimizing free-radical-induced inflammation in the respiratory
tract."
- Alzheimer's disease
- Studies have found that "Vitamin E helped slow the progress
of Alzheimer's disease ..." Based on the same theory that Vitamin
E can benefit the nervous system, researchers have also found a
link between a high intake of Vitamin E and a lower incidence of
Parkinson's disease.
- Low immunity - A
study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association
showed that "elderly subjects who took Vitamin E supplements
for four months boosted their immune systems by more than 60 percent,
with no harmful side effects." A daily dose of 200 international
units "appeared to be the most effective."
- Cancer - Studies
have "linked low blood levels of Vitamin E with early-stage
cervical cancer, and other studies have found low blood levels of
antioxidants in cancer patients."
- Menopause - "Vitamin
E supplementation is the most common alternative or adjunct therapy
to hormone replacement therapy. At doses of 400 international units
twice daily, Vitamin E is thought to relieve hot flashes and vaginal
dryness."
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