Women with very low vitamin E concentrations in their blood could decrease their risk of early artery disease by increasing the amount of vitamin E in their diets. However, the researchers concluded women with enough vitamin E in their diets probably wouldn't decrease their risk by increasing their vitamin E intake. The researchers advised blood tests to determine risk.
What is arteriosclerosis?
Arteriosclerosis is the build-up of fatty plaques in arteries that inhibit blood flow, which in turn raises risk of heart attack or stroke. The condition is linked to a process called oxidation, which is the damage to body tissues caused by byproducts of the body's normal processes.
What does vitamin E do?
Oxidation of LDL cholesterol is one of the major contributors to the disease, but antioxidants such as vitamin E can neutralize the damage, helping to prevent heart disease. The study participants (from Southern Italy) got most of their vitamin E from legumes, vegetables and olive oil.
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition September 2002;76:582-587
It's vitally important to recognize that this is not a supplement study. It was a retrospective review of dietary vitamin E sources. These women in southern Italy obtained their vitamin E mainly from fresh vegetables, legumes and olive oils.
In addition, they had a high intake of monounsaturated fatty acids from olive oil, whereas their intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids was relatively low. The study did not address their fish intake or other omega-3 sources, but it is highly likely that the decreased unsaturated fat tended to normalize their omega 6:3 ratio and this may have been a more important influence on the study observations.
Interestingly, omega-3 fat optimization has far more scientific support to reduce heart disease. If you haven't read Dr. Holub's article that was published earlier in this year in the Canadian Medical Journal, it's listed below.
For a product that comes with my highest recommendation and contains both the omega-3 that is so severely lacking in most people's diets AND the full-spectrum vitamin E that is the form you should be taking, read about Living Fuel Omega 3 & E now.
Related Articles:
Dr. Holub's Article: Cardiovascular Benefits of Omega-3 Fats Importance of Omega Three Fats in Health and Disease
Dr. Holub's Article: Cardiovascular Benefits of Omega-3 Fats
Importance of Omega Three Fats in Health and Disease