Supplemental alpha-tocopherol (AT) given to type 2 diabetic patients decreases monocyte activity and soluble cell adhesion molecules, thereby possibly reducing the risk of macrovascular disease in this group, according to researchers.

Researchers studied 25 subjects with type 2 diabetes who had no vascular complications and 25 subjects with type 2 diabetes who had macrovascular complications, along with 25 age- and sex-matched healthy controls.

• All the subjects received 1,200 IU of natural alpha-tocopherol per day for 3 months.

• Vitamin E therapy significantly decreased LDL oxidizability in all three groups.

• Both diabetic groups showed a significant decrease in soluble cell adhesion molecules compared with the controls.

• Among the diabetics, monocytes released significantly more superoxide anion and interleukin-1-beta and had greater adhesion to endothelium than control subjects.

Researchers assert that their study has two main findings. One is that it is the first demonstration that there is increased inflammation in diabetes, whether patients have heart disease or not. "This was manifested by the monocyte plaque formation and the production of more superoxide, more cytokines and messenger molecules which bound to the endothelium," one of the researchers explained.

"The second important finding, which is totally novel," said one researcher, "is that when we gave the subjects vitamin E there was a substantial reduction in the monocyte function. Obviously we showed an antioxidant effect, as we have shown in other studies, but in addition, we showed that vitamin E, in high doses, is an anti-inflammatory agent."

"What we are saying is that heart disease and stroke risk can be lowered because vitamin E reduces plaque formation. I am suggesting that this is adjunctive therapy in diabetes that would add to reduction in cardiovascular events."

Researchers also speculated that "vitamin E might also have an effect on the metabolic syndrome that causes diabetes and might act to prevent the disease."

Circulation July 11, 2000:102:191-196.

Dr. Mercola's Comments:

This study used NATURAL vitamin E and not the synthetic. Only natural E should be used. If you do supplement with vitamin E, Living Fuel Omega 3 & E comes with my highest recommendation. These are pure, very high-quality fish oil capsultes that contain both the omega-3 that is so severely lacking in most people's diets AND the full-spectrum vitamin E that is the form of vitamin E you should be taking -- two exceptional supplements in one. Read about Living Fuel Omega 3 & E now. Although this study used only alpha-tocopherol, a mixed tocopherol is probably more preferable as the gamma tocopherols are particularly useful antioxidants. I would also suggest alpha lipoic acid as another useful supplement for diabetics. The dose is 100 mg 1-3 times a day with three times a day being preferable. It has been shown to improve and may help prevent diabetic neuropathy (In Vivo 2000 Mar-Apr;14:327-30) and lower blood pressure, glucose, and insulin levels (J Hypertens 2000 May;18:567-73). The healthy eating plan described in detail in my Total Health Program is also absolutely critical, especially if you have a predisposition. Exercise is also crucial. Most of my father's Italian family members contract and die from diabetes and I am prone to develop it. For myself, if I reduce my running to five miles per week as I did several years ago, I gain about one half pound per month and after gaining 20 pounds I develop diabetes. So for me, as I suspect for most individuals, performing the equivalent of running 15 miles per week is necessary. Many people use walking, which is fine, but I need to caution you that this form of exercise will not work after a short time. The body will then require a more severe stress to induce the changes in insulin receptor sensitivity. You need to push yourself hard continuously. The general rule of thumb is to exercise fast or hard enough so that you cannot talk to the person next to you, and then back off a bit. One hour a day is necessary when treating the disease, but one hour three to four times per week is adequate for maintenance. Related Articles: Vitamin E Shows Promise In Type 1 Diabetes Vitamin E Improves Circulation in Diabetics Exercise Helps Fight Aging Obesity Experts Urge More Exercise