VITAMIN E – (
Tocopherol) Thisfat soluble vitamin protects against free radical damage (particularly for theneural tissue).
It protects against heart disease, decreases fatigue, reducesPMS, and helps to retard cellular aging due to oxidation; supplies oxygen to the blood which is then carried to the heart and other organs; thusalleviating fatigue. Vitamin E also strengthens the capillary walls andprevents the red blood cells from destructive poisons. This vitamin has alsobeen used in helping to prevent sterility, and muscular dystrophy. Vitamin E is a mixture of several related compoundsknown as tocopherols. Thealpa-
tocopherol molecule is the most potent of the tocopherols. Vitamin E isabsorbed from the intestines packaged in chylomicrons. It is delivered to thetissues via chylomicron transport and then to the liver through chylomicronremnant uptake. The liver can export vitamin E in VLDLs. Due to its lipophilic nature;vitamin E accumulates in cellular membranes, fat deposits and other circulatinglipoproteins. The major site of vitamin E storage is in adipose tissue. Themajor function of vitamin E is to act as a natural
antioxidant by scavenging free radicals and molecular oxygen.In particular vitamin E is important for preventing peroxidation ofpolyunsaturated membrane fatty acids. The vitamins E and C are interrelated intheir antioxidant capabilities. Active alpha-tocopherol can be regenerated byinteraction with vitamin C following scavenge of a peroxy free radical.Alternatively, alpha-tocopherol can scavenge two peroxy free radicals and thenbe conjugated to glucuronate for excretion in the bile. Adefficiency in this vitamin could lead to a loss of reproductive powers, lackof sexual vitality, abnormal fat deposits in muscles, degenerative changes inthe changes in the heart and other muscles, dry skin, and increased risks ofdeveloping cancers