Researchers at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center have
discovered that only one form of Vitamin E -- alpha-tocopherol --
appears to be beneficial in protecting against bladder cancer. Other
forms of the popular vitamin, such as gamma-tocopherol (which is
consumed in much higher quantities in the United States) offers no such
protection.
The research helps explain why some studies seem to show
Vitamin E to be effective while other studies show just the opposite:
the vast majority of studies make no differentiation between the forms
of the vitamin and just lump all Vitamin E together.
Now here's the
interesting part to all this: most Americans are consuming vast
quantities of the "ineffective" Vitamin E (the gamma form) but very
little of the "good" Vitamin E (the alpha form). That's because the
ineffective form is high in soybean oil, and soybean oil is one of the
most frequently-consumed oils in the western diet because it's cheap to
produce and is the primary oil used for the ingredient known as
hydrogenated oil or partially hydrogenated oil. Most margarine and
shortening, for example, is made with soybean oil.
The alpha form of
Vitamin E, on the other hand, is found in higher quantities in green
vegetables, almonds, sunflower seeds and safflower oils -- foods that
most Americans eat in much smaller quantities. As a result, most people
exhibit nutritional deficiencies in Vitamin E, say the researchers: the
minimum daily requirement is 15mg, but the average American eats just
8mg. This is partly because we eat so many milled grains that have been
stripped of their natural Vitamin E content. The whole grain of wheat,
for example, contains Vitamin E, but refined white flour has virtually
none because the germ of the grain is removed during the milling
process.
Clearly, Vitamin E is an important nutrient for good
health, and it is well known to be useful for far more than just bladder
cancer. Americans need to get more Vitamin E into their diets, and that
means eating more healthy oils, nuts, seeds and whole grains. The best
sources? Wheat germ, almonds and safflower oil. It is difficult to get
enough Vitamin E through foods alone, however, so consider adding a
nutritional supplement containing "natural" Vitamin E to your daily
diet.
About the author: Mike Adams is a natural health author and award-winning journalist with a passion for sharing empowering information to help improve personal and planetary health He has authored and published thousands of articles, interviews, consumers guides, and books on topics like health and the environment, impacting the lives of millions of readers around the world who are experiencing phenomenal health benefits from reading his articles. Adams is an honest, independent journalist and accepts no money or commissions on the third-party products he writes about or the companies he promotes. In 2010, Adams launched NaturalNews.TV, a natural health video site featuring videos on holistic health and green living. He's also a successful software entrepreneur, having founded a well known email marketing software company whose technology currently powers the NaturalNews email newsletters. Adams also serves as the executive director of the Consumer Wellness Center, a non-profit consumer protection group, and enjoys outdoor activities, nature photography, Pilates and martial arts training. Known on the 'net as 'the Health Ranger,' Adams shares his ethics, mission statements and personal health statistics at www.HealthRanger.org
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Thursday, May 20, 2004
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