Health Benefits of Vitamin E

When it comes to daily vitamin requirements, there are a number of essential vitamins that are recommended for optimum health. One of these is vitamin E, which is naturally present in some foods, added to other foods and is also available as a supplement. Complete vitamin E is comprised of a group of fat-soluble compounds that have vital antioxidant properties which serve a variety of benefits for cardiovascular health, liver protection and immune support, among other health benefits.

Heart Health
Vitamin E plays an important role in the prevention of heart disease. Vitamin E effectively helps to prevent blockages in the coronary arteries, which if left untreated may cause heart attacks. Vitamin E also prevents heart disease by inhibiting the oxidation of harmful cholesterol in the body. People who are especially susceptible to heart disease may take vitamin E regularly as part of a healthy diet to ward off the risks and symptoms of heart disease.

Liver Protection
Vitamin E acts as a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent to protect the liver, which metabolizes and excretes some forms of vitamin E. Antioxidants such as vitamin E effectively protect cells from free radical damage, which can contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease and other health conditions. Since the body is constantly exposed to free radicals (harmful toxins) from sources such as pesticides, cigarette smoke, air pollution, and ultraviolet radiation from the sun, it is essential that you get enough vitamin E as well as other critical antioxidants from diet and supplementation.

Immune Support
In addition to its activities as an antioxidant, vitamin E is involved in immune function and other metabolic processes. Your immune system is comprised of organs, tissues, specialized cells, and specific proteins that work together to defend your body against harmful toxins that can contribute to infection or disease. Vitamin E primarily supports the immune system by producing interleukin-2, a powerful protein that effectively destroys bacteria, viruses and toxic cells.

Sources
The daily use of vitamin E as a dietary supplement has gained popularity over the past few decades. Several types of natural, food based vitamin E supplementation are available, including alpha, beta, gamma, and delta tocopherol. Make sure that your vitamin E supplement includes all these different fractions and you may also want it to include tocotrienols. In combination with supplementation, a diet high in vitamin E containing foods can provide the body with the levels that are adequate for maintaining good health. Healthy food sources include nuts such as almonds, walnuts, peanuts, pistachios, and hazelnuts.

As always, I recommend following a whole foods based diet containing fresh, organic fruits and vegetables. For more information about healthy food choices rich in essential nutrients and antioxidants, visit www.dreliaz.org/recommends-diet.