Vitamin E, found in a variety of foods and recognized as a fat-soluble antioxidant, shields cells from damage caused by free radicals—compounds generated during the conversion of ingested food into energy. Unearthed over 80 years ago, Vitamin E was initially acknowledged as a vital micronutrient crucial for rat reproduction.
Consisting of eight lipophilic molecules, with four tocopherols and four tocotrienols, Vitamin E is primarily present in nuts and various vegetable oils. In Western diets, γ-Tocopherol is prevalent, while α-tocopherol, displaying the highest biological activity, is the primary form in plasma.
Celebrated for its antioxidant properties, Vitamin E is believed to contribute to preventing diseases associated with oxidative stress. Extensive research and clinical observations by physicians undeniably support its positive impact on heart health, with confidence in Vitamin E as a cardiac protector steadily increasing over the decades.
Cardiovascular disease, encompassing conditions like coronary artery disease, hypertensive heart disease, congestive heart failure, peripheral vascular disease, atherosclerosis, cerebral artery disease, and strokes, stands as the leading cause of death in the United States.
Considerable research has identified plausible mechanisms through which Vitamin E may provide cardiovascular benefits, including inhibiting the oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in plasma.
The concept that antioxidant nutrients, including Vitamin E, could impede the progression of atherosclerosis, has gained support. Observational cohort studies have endorsed Vitamin E supplementation for preventing cardiovascular disease. Experimental evidence suggests that dietary Vitamin E can alleviate the development of spontaneous atherosclerosis in nutritional models of cardiovascular disease.
Vitamin E and Cardio Health
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