We hear the term “free radical” almost on a daily basis in news reports and magazine articles. Given their potential to have a major impact on health, it’s important to have a firm grasp of what they are and how we can prevent the damage they can inflict on our bodies. (more…)
Posts Tagged ‘Alpha-tocopherol’
Free Radicals and Antioxidants:What You Need to Know
Wednesday, March 31st, 2010Vitamin E Saves Lives
Monday, June 29th, 2009A new National Cancer Institute study of 29,000 older male smokers followed for 19 years finds that, contrary to recent headlines, vitamin E is a lifesaver.
Men with the highest blood levels of vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) were 18% less apt to die from any cause than those with the lowest blood vitamin E. Specifically, high blood levels of E cut risk of dying from prostate cancer 32%, lung cancer 21%, ischemic (blood clot) stroke 37%, hemorrhagic (bleeding) stroke 35% and respiratory disease 42%.
The “optimal” dose of vitamin E is unknown and would vary with individuals, says Oregon State University expert Maret Traber. Up to 1, 500 IU of vitamin E a day is considered safe for adults.
