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Vitamin E 400 IU was developed to give you the full range of tocopherols necessary to support cardiovascular health. Tocopherols are compounds that form the vitamin E family. Research has documented that a blend of all four tocopherols (alpha, beta, delta and gamma) provides the greatest antioxidant activity.*

Benefits
•Protects cell membranes and fat-soluble areas of the body (such as LDL cholesterol) from free radical damage*

Key Features
•Contains Alpha, Gamma, Beta and Delta Tocopherols

How Does It Work?
Vitamin E is a fat soluble nutrient. It functions as a protector of red blood cell membranes, assists in iron metabolism in the cell, and aids the absorption of vitamin A. However, vitamin E is primarily recognized for its antioxidant activity. It is thought to act as a chain breaking antioxidant, which prevents the propagation of lipid peroxidation.*

Observational studies have concluded that intake of vitamin E is associated with support for cardiovascular health. While the mechanism of action is not completely understood, both human and animal studies have found that vitamin E can delay or prevent low density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation. Cholesterol molecules are formed from a double bond, making them more susceptible to oxidation and free radical formation. On average, five to nine molecules of vitamin E are carried by each LDL particle to protect against oxidation. It is theorized that free radicals generated by inflammation of the endothelial cells of the arterial wall, and activated macrophages, oxidize LDL particles. The oxidized particles are taken up by macrophage scavenger receptors, and form lipid-laden foam cells known as fatty streaks in the arterial walls. These fatty streaks are not supportive of optimal cardiac health. Supplemental vitamin E intake has been shown to both boost the antioxidant capacity of LDL particles and support their resistance to oxidation.*

Vitamin E naturally occurs in structurally different isoforms.Vitamin E 400 IU contains a blend of four isomers: alpha, beta, delta, and gamma tocopherols. All are potent antioxidants. However, each form has unique properties and functions in the body. For example, gamma tocopherol differs from alpha in its ability to detoxify nitrogen dioxide, support healthy cell growth, and inhibit cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) activity in macrophages and epithelial cells.*

Summary of Research
Epidemiological studies of dietary vitamin E intake have shown significant support for cardiovascular health. In a four year study of approximately 40,000 men, researchers found that participants who consumed at least 60 IU of dietary vitamin E per day experienced significantly better cardiovascular support than men who consumed less. A similar study followed over 34,000 postmenopausal women for 7 years, recording their intake of dietary vitamin E. The women with the highest intakes of dietary vitamin E also reported better cardiovascular health support than women consuming less vitamin E.*

However, clinical trials of supplemental vitamin E have had mixed results. Of note, the clinical trials to date have used only alpha tocopherol, and excluded all other forms of vitamin E. This exclusion is believed by many experts to explain the conflicting results in the research on supplemental vitamin E. In support of this theory, a recent study compared the effects of alpha tocopherol alone, and mixed tocopherols in healthy platelet activity in humans. After eight weeks of supplementation, the group receiving mixed tocopherols showed significant support for healthy platelet aggregation, while no similar results were noted in the alpha tocopherol only group. Additionally, research that has examined the antioxidant activity of vitamin E has shown that mixed tocopherols have more potent antioxidant effects than alpha tocopherol alone.*

Summary
As a potent antioxidant, vitamin E protects cell membranes and fat-soluble areas of the body (such as LDL cholesterol) from free radical damage. New research has documented that the antioxidant activity is greatest from a blend of all the tocopherol forms of vitamin E: alpha, beta, gamma, and delta. Vitamin E 400 IU provides a blend of natural vitamin E tocopherols for maximum antioxidant activity and free radical detoxification.*