Research: WEBER and colleagues, Hum

Listed in Issue 27

Abstract

WEBER and colleagues, Human Nutrition Research Division, Hoffmann-La Roche, Paramus, New Jersey USA review (104 references) the literature which provides strong evidence that vitamin E intakes much higher than currently recommended levels can contribute to and/or improve human health .

Background

Methodology

Results

The available research indicate that higher than current recommended intake levels of vitamin E affects various functions related to human health: 1) Vitamin E is required to protect polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) against auto-oxidation . The amount of vitamin E required to protect PUFAs against oxidative damage is at least 0.4-0.8 mg per gram PUFAs and may exceed 1.5 mg/g in diets with higher-than-average levels of long-chain PUFAs. A daily vitamin E intake of 135-150 IU is recommended, based upon studies of vitamin E kinetics and metabolism. 2) Vitamin E intake is also related to other important functions including protection against oxidative damage, immune response and platelet adhesion to blood vessel walls. Intake of vitamin E of 40 IU/day was the least dosage demonstrated to inhibit low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation and a dose-dependent effect was seen up to 800 IU/day . Vitamin E intake of at least 60 IU/day enhanced immune response and intakes of 200-400 IU/day decreased platelet adhesion .

Conclusion

Vitamin E plays a pivotal role in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases and many observational studies have reported vitamin E to reduce risk of cardiovascular disease which have been corroborated by recent intervention studies. Additionally and of equal importance, a solid body of research literature demonstrates that these and much higher intakes of vitamin E are safe.

References

Weber P, Bendich A and Machlin LJ. Vitamin E and human health: rationale for determining recommended intake levels. Nutrition 13(5): 450-60. May 1997.

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