Alpha tocopherol and Heart Disease - Alpha tocopherol and Heart Disease
Numerous studies in both men and women support an association between alpha-tocopherol intake and a decrease in atherosclerosis risk factors. Studies show that alpha-tocopherol decreases oxidation of low-density lipoprotein, inhibits platelet aggregation, increases vasodilation and decrease inflammation. Other studies have demonstrated a relationship between endothelial cell function and plasma levels of alpha-tocopherol. However, not all randomized controlled trials or epidemiological studies have shown an association between alpha-tocopherol intake and the prevention of atherosclerosis or cardiac events.
In a double-blind, randomized clinical trial examining the effect of supplementation with all rac-alpha-tocopherol (synthetic vitamin E) on LDL oxidation, 318 healthy men and women (mean age 56.2 years) were given 267 mg vitamin E or placebo daily and assessed every three months throughout the study. All rac-alpha-tocopherol reduced circulating LDL and decreased the susceptibility of LDL to oxidation compared with placebo. However, vitamin E supplementation was no more effective than placebo in reducing the progression of carotid intima-media thickening (a measurement of the development of atherosclerosis).
Results of Women’s Health Study, reported in July 2005 in the Journal of the American Medical Association, suggested that vitamin E decreased some, but not all, cardiovascular risks. For this randomized, controlled trial, 39,876 healthy woman (mean age 54.6 years) were placed in one of four groups and given 400 mg all rac-alpha-tocopherol (Synthetic vitamin E) or placebo on alternating days 400 mg all rac-alpha-tocopherol or 100mg aspirin on alternating days, of placebo only, and studied for an average of 10.1 years. Results showed a non-significant 7 percent reduction in risk of major cardiovascular event in the vitamin E-supplemented groups and a significant (24 percent) decrease in cardiovascular death in th ...
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