Vitamin E - A Fountain Of Youth?


UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA - New research has been published in the journal Biological Research for Nursing about the benefits of Vitamin E and its effects on slowing the aging process.

According to the publication, Vitamin E supplements, especially when taken with regular exercise, may prevent or delay the ravaging illnesses so common with aging, including heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer's disease.

Researchers tested both anti-aging methods ( Vitamin E and exercise) on 59 men and women between ages 60 and 75 who were not regular exercisers. Half continued their sedentary ways while the other half started a 60-minute, twice-weekly exercise regimen. Those two groups were then divided, so half of the exercisers and sedentary folks received either an 800 IU Vitamin E supplement or placebo. The breakdown was as follows:

• Group 1: Exercised twice a week for 60 minutes and took an 800 IU Vitamin E supplement.
• Group 2: Exercised twice a week for 60 minutes and took a placebo.
• Group 3: Sedentary and took an 800 IU Vitamin E supplement
• Group 4: Sedentary and took a placebo.

The results showed that all the participants who took Vitamin E - whether they exercised or not - saw a significant reduction in free radicals. In addition, exercise provided its own special protection as it increased the amount of antioxidant substances that would fight the free radicals.

So even though Group 1 didn't do any better that Group 3, those who exercised did see a loss in weight, lowered blood sugar and blood pressure and boosted their exercise capacity.

This ultimately showed that a Vitamin E supplement along with regular exercise is the best method for fighting free radicals and their effects on aging bodies.

Which brings us to the final question... How much Vitamin E does a person need? Basically, if you were to get your sufficient amount of Vitamin E in food, a 40 year old person would need the equivalent of two heads of spinach - every day. So in this case, supplements may be a better choice.

More information

For more information on Vitamin E from the National Institute of Health (NIH), visit, http://www.cc.nih.gov/ccc/supplements/vite.html .