Vitamin E treatment appears to be effective in normalizing retinal blood-flow abnormalities and improving kidney function in insulin dependent diabetes. Many diabetics suffer from a degenerative eye condition called diabetic retinopathy, which can cause vision loss. Blood-flow at the retina is also decreased in diabetics. In this clinical trial, patients received large doses of vitamin E for 4 months. The researchers note that at the end of the study period, retinal blood flow increased to a near-normal rate, and kidney function also improved.

Diabetes Care 1999;22:1245-1251.

Dr. Mercola's Comment:

Here is yet another benefit of vitamin E. Diabetes is an absolutely devastating illness. Any treatment that may help lessen its devastating complications can be enormously beneficial. It would seem prudent to put all diabetics on regular doses of vitamin E as it has already been well established, it has additional benefit of decreasing heart complications, which is another complication of diabetes.  The researchers used 1800 units of vitamin E in this trial. I believe that this dose if excessive for normal individuals, but it might be appropriate for individuals with type 1 diabetes.