Vitamine E - Antioxidant "par excellence"

Abstract

Background: "Vitamin E" is a collective term for at least seven complex fat soluble vitamins, known as tocopherols. Tocopherols are present in particular in plant oils, wheat germ, leafy vegetables, egg yolk and legumes. Vitamin E is the most important fat soluble antioxidant in the human body. Objective: To conduct a systematic review of the clinical significance of vitamin E. Methods: Systematic analysis and evaluation of human studies - including prospective double blind studies, epidemiological and retrospective studies, short term biochemical and haematological studies with surrogate markers - performed in the last 10 years and found in major electronic data bases, coupled to information in standard works and published monographs. Results and Conclusion: Vitamin E prevents platelet agglomeration and regulates the activity of enzymes involved in inflammatory reactions. Recent large studies have not been able to confirm that taking vitamin E reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases or cancer. For this reason, general nutritional supplementation with vitamin E cannot be recommended. It is not yet fully clear whether vitamin E can prevent or slow the development of age-related macular degeneration or cataracts. There are indications that vitamin E can be used in other indications, although this must be confirmed by larger studies. This includes arteriosclerosis, patients after heart transplantation, dementia and specific neurological diseases. For this reason, the use of high dose vitamin E must be discussed with the doctor in advance. © Verlag für GanzheitsMedizin.