Healing Properties of Vitamin E

Vitamin E is vital to the proper functioning of the human immune system. Additionally, its antioxidant properties protect cells from damage caused by free radicals, which are molecules usually found in polluted air or ultraviolet light. Some researchers suspect these antioxidant properties can prevent diseases caused by damage from free radicals. The Food and Nutrition Board recommends healthy individuals at least age 14 consume at least 15 mg., or 22.4 IU, daily of vitamin E.

Stomach Cancer Prevention

PubMed reports that a 2009 diet and health study published in the International Journal of Cancer found that Vitamin E had no effect on esophageal cancer, but supplemental Vitamin E, an additional 71 mg. daily, significantly lowered the risk for gastric cardia adenocarcinoma, a stomach cancer. The study included almost 500,000 subjects.

Alzheimer's Disease Risk

A study published in June 2002 in the Journal of the American Medical Association found a connection between the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and diet. Diets containing foods rich in vitamin E appeared to protect against Alzheimer's. One important finding was that vitamin E supplements did not have the same effect as eating foods rich in the vitamin. The study cited other research done by scientists in the Netherlands that found diets that provided higher doses of both vitamins C and E protected some individuals from Alzheimer's. Researchers caution readers against taking high doses of vitamin E since the dosage needed and potential effects are still a subject of ongoing studies. Some foods rich in vitamin E are sunflower and safflower oils, almonds, peanut butter and dark leafy greens.

Helpful to Men

The Harvard School of Health study done in 2004 determined that after seven years taking a regular low-dose of 200 mg., or less, vitamin E, the risk of cancer for male study participants was reduced, and their overall mortality rate was improved. Women subjects received no similar benefits.

Helpful to Diabetics

The Harvard School of Health reports in a 2007 study conducted in Israel that vitamin E supplements were particularly helpful to a subgroup of subjects with type 2 diabetes. This group showed a substantial reduction in the incidence of coronary heart disease. The researchers theorize that the anti-oxidant properties of vitamin E are particularly helpful to type 2 diabetics who are more susceptible to damage from free radicals.

Vitamin E Caution

A 2004 study done by scientists at Johns Hopkins found that doses of vitamin E in excess of 400 IU per day increased the risk of dying. This concerned the researchers because most supplements sold over-the-counter contain 400 to 800 IU. The Johns Hopkins researchers arrived at this conclusion after analyzing data produced by 19 large clinical trials that took place between 1993 and 2004. According to the Office of Dietary Supplements, 400 to 800 IU equals 268 to 536 mg. of natural vitamin E, or 180 to 360 mg. of synthetic vitamin E.