vitamin E

Topic summary contributed by volunteer(s): Daniel

Vitamin E is one of the most widely known antioxidants. Taking antioxidant vitamin supplements, as opposed to eating an antioxidant-rich diet, may actually lead to a shorter lifespan. The minimum “Recommended Daily Allowance” of antioxidants may be best met through intake of whole fruits and vegetables.

For substantiation of any statements of fact from the peer-reviewed medical literature, please see the associated videos below.

21 videos

All Videos for Vitamin E

The Supplement Shown to Slow Age-Related Hearing Loss

Some studies found that higher levels of folate in the blood seem to correlate with better hearing, so researchers decided to put it to the test.

spice and herb collection in bowls and spoons on a black wooden background

Which Foods Are Anti-Inflammatory?

Foods that reduce inflammation. What does an anti-inflammatory diet look like?

Benefits of Quinoa for Lowering Triglycerides

How do the nutrition and health effects of quinoa compare to whole grains?

Brain-Healthy Foods to Fight Aging

What is the best source of lutein, the primary carotenoid antioxidant in the brain?

Tomato Sauce vs. Prostate Cancer

What happened when cancer patients were given three quarters of a cup of canned tomato sauce every day for three weeks?

Lycopene Supplements vs. Prostate Cancer

High doses of lycopene—the red pigment in tomatoes—were put to the test to see if it could prevent precancerous prostate lesions from turning into full-blown cancer.

Do Vitamin D Supplements Help with Diabetes, Weight Loss, and Blood Pressure?

Those with higher vitamin D levels tend to have lower rates of obesity, diabetes, and hypertension, but is it cause and effect? Interventional trials finally put vitamin D to the test.

What Are the Healthiest Foods?

Based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which foods best supply shortfall nutrients while avoiding disease-promoting components?

The Safety of Heme vs. Non-Heme Iron

Heme iron, the type found predominantly in blood and muscle, is absorbed better than the non-heme iron that predominates in plants, but may increase the risk of cancer, stroke, heart disease, and metabolic syndrome.

Diet and GERD Acid Reflux Heartburn

Which foods should we eat and avoid to prevent and treat acid reflux before it can place us at risk for Barrett’s esophagus and cancer?

Antioxidants and Depression

Neither antioxidant or folic acid supplements seem to help with mood, but the consumption of antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables and folate-rich beans and greens may lower the risk for depression.

Treating Asthma with Plants vs. Supplements?

Whole fruits and vegetables were compared to both antioxidant pills, as well as supplements containing fruits and vegetable extracts, for their ability to treat seasonal allergies, improve lung function, and control asthma.

Minimum “Recommended Daily Allowance” of Antioxidants

How many antioxidant-rich foods do we need to eat every day just to stay out of oxidative debt?

Nutrient-Dense Approach to Weight Management

Americans eating meat-free diets average higher intakes of nearly every nutrient, while maintaining a lower body weight—perhaps due, in part, to their higher resting metabolic rates.

Enhanced Athletic Recovery without Undermining Adaptation

Might the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of plant-based diets undermine some of the benefits of exercise?

Mediating Radiation Exposure from Airline Travel

Based on studies of atomic bomb survivors, Chernobyl victims, and airline pilots exposed to more cosmic rays at high altitudes, it appears that fruits and vegetables may decrease radiation-induced chromosome damage.

Flaxseeds for Breast Pain

A tablespoon a day of ground flax seeds appears to improve ovarian function, and is considered a first-line therapy for breast pain associated with one’s period (cyclical mastalgia).

Fiber vs. Breast Cancer

Inadequate fiber intake appears to be a risk factor for breast cancer, which can explain why women eating plant-based diets may be at lower risk.

Paleolithic Lessons

An evolutionary argument for a plant-based diet is presented, in contrast to “Paleo” fad diets.

Vitamin C-Enriched Bacon

The addition of vitamin C to processed (cured) meats such as bacon may actually make them more carcinogenic.

Is Vitamin D the New Vitamin E?

The Institute of Medicine’s conservative position on vitamin D is understandable, given the history of hyped vitamin supplements (vitamin A, beta carotene, folic acid, vitamin C, vitamin E) that turned out worthless—or worse.