What¹s in Your Vitamin E?

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What¹s in Your Vitamin E?

ROCHESTER, Minn. -- Newswise ‹ Vitamin E in foods may offer more health

benefits than vitamin E supplements.

How to know if you¹re getting your vitamin E¹s worth? The July issue of Mayo

Clinic Health Letter offers guidance:

* Vitamin E comes in many forms. Foods contain the alpha-tocopherol,

gamma-tocopherol, and delta-tocopherol forms of vitamin E. Research suggests

that these forms -- when obtained from foods such as nuts, vegetable oils,

whole grains, tomato products and dark-green leafy vegetables, may reduce

the risk of cardiovascular disease and certain types of cancers.

* Supplements appear less beneficial. Studies haven¹t consistently shown

that supplemental vitamin E provides the same risk-reducing effect as does

vitamin E in foods. It could be because supplements typically contain only

the alpha-tocopherol form, or have it in high amounts.

* Some supplements could be better than others. Supplements that contain

mixed tocopherols -- including natural alpha-tocopherol and other forms such

as gamma- and delta-tocopherol, may provide better health benefits.

* Food offers other benefits. Foods high in vitamin E also are rich in other

compounds that can protect against disease. Even if you take a supplement,

don¹t neglect rich dietary sources of vitamin E.

Mayo Clinic Health Letter is an eight-page monthly newsletter of reliable,

accurate and practical information on today¹s health and medical news. To

subscribe, please call toll free 800-333-9037, extension 9PR1.