Vitamin E and the Heart

Dateline: 12/06/98

In the 1980's, the focus was on life-style modification to control heart disease. Risk factors for atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease included smoking, high blood pressure, physical inactivity, high blood cholesterol, diabetes and obesity. Preventive efforts were targeted at modifying these factors, by diet, exercise and drugs.

The 1990's however has seen a change in focus. Today, the emphasis is on preventing heart disease by supplementation of vitamins and minerals. Yes, that's right. The tiny, insignificant multi-vitamin pill has now moved to center-stage. It is powerful enough to prevent heart disease, retard aging, lower cancer risk and has many more benefits that are only now being recognized and accepted. 

Research already done indicates that Vitamin E, Folic Acid and Vitamin B-12 have definite benefits by acting as anti-oxidants and lowering homocysteine levels in blood. Here's the evidence so far....

Vitamin E and Heart Disease

• In a study of 156 subjects regression of coronary artery plaque was found in the group that took daily dietary supplements of 100 IU of Vitamin E.
• Dr.Ishwarlal Jilal of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, found that high dose Vitamin E supplements reduced oxidation of "bad" LDL cholesterol.

These findings suggest that Vitamin E may help prevent atherosclerosis, a disease that hardens the wall of arteries leading to a heart attack. The American Heart Association agrees that "either in supplements, or in food, Vitamin E may help prevent heart disease".

Read the next article on Homocysteine in Heart Disease