Vitamin E has been studied as a possible cancer preventative due to its ability to fight oxidative DNA damage, but evidence of its cancer-fighting abilities has been conflicting. Some studies suggest low levels of vitamin E can lead to a higher risk of cancer, but the Women’s Health Study found no reduction in cancer risk among women taking higher doses of vitamin E. Vitamin E supplements are available, but a balanced diet can provide adequate amounts of vitamin E. Natural sources of vitamin E include almonds, avocados, and broccoli.
Vitamin E, an antioxidant, has been cited in medical studies as a possible cancer preventative. The basis of the vitamin E and cancer theories rests on the ability of antioxidants to fight oxidative DNA damage, which is attributed to the cause of a number of cancers. However, evidence of vitamin E’s cancer-fighting abilities has been elusive, as medical studies have yielded conflicting results.
Much of the hope about vitamin E and cancer has come from laboratory and animal studies. Some studies on vitamin E and cancer seem to indicate that low levels of vitamin E in the body can lead to a higher risk of cancer. The researchers also noted that cancer patients often have low vitamin E levels, although this could be an effect of cancer or cancer treatments.
The Women’s Health Study, published in 2005, looked at the effects of vitamin E and cancer, among other things. This study was started in 1991 and found no evidence of a reduction in cancer risk among women taking higher doses of vitamin E. Lung, breast, and colorectal cancer rates were unaffected by the intake of vitamin E. Studies have also been conducted to see if vitamin E could prevent cancer recurrence, and the results of these studies have also been negative.
A study of 29,000 male smokers taking 50 milligrams of vitamin E per day had mixed results. Research found no effect on lung cancer rates. According to the study results, the rates of prostate and colorectal cancer were lower, while the incidence of bladder and stomach cancer was higher.
Most vitamin E supplements are made from alpha-tocopherol acetate. This form of vitamin E has not been shown to have any effect on breast cancer rates. Another form of vitamin E, tocotrienol, has been shown to block some breast cancer cells, but this study was done with the use of cultures and not tested in humans.
Many experts believe that a balanced diet can provide adequate amounts of vitamin E. Others suggest finding supplements that contain the tocotrienolic form of vitamin E because it has been shown to inhibit the growth of some breast cancer cells in a laboratory setting. These vitamin E capsules are available from a variety of sources.
Vitamin E is found naturally in plants. Natural sources of vitamin E include almonds, avocados and broccoli. Vitamin E is also added to other foods. Although vitamin E cannot be stored for more than six weeks in the human body, deficiency is rare and usually found only in people with genetic disorders.
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