(NaturalNews) Cancer is a leading cause of death in many western cultures, second only to heart disease. A wide array of research bodies exist to provide solid evidence that this killer disease is largely promoted by poor lifestyle habits, especially diet. Medical researchers have long known that there is a definite connection between cancer and the fat soluble vitamin E. Some studies have concluded a positive relationship between the two, while others vilify vitamin E as a cancer progenitor.
Researchers at the Center for Cancer Prevention Research at Rutgers University have published the result of a study in the journal
Cancer Prevention Research that demonstrates that vitamin E from dietary sources has a profound effect on cancer development and progression. The scientists have found that two forms of vitamin E, gamma and delta-tocopherols found in soybean, canola and corn oils as well as nuts do prevent colon, lung, breast and prostate cancers.
Researchers know that in the past, studies have shown an increased risk of cancer and decrease in bone density with vitamin E from supplements. Unfortunately, those studies either used a synthetic form of the vitamin known as dl-alpha- tocopherol or they did not specify the form of vitamin E used. Vitamin E exists in a variety of forms called tocotrienols and tocopherols which occur in natural balance in many nuts, seeds and their cold-pressed oils.
Vitamin E from nuts, seeds, and their oils prove broad-spectrum protection against cancer
The Rutgers study author, Dr. Chung S. Yang and his team conducted studies on animals that examined associated risk for developing colon, lung, breast, and prostate cancer. The scientists found that the forms of
vitamin E in vegetable oils, gamma and delta-tocopherols, prevent cancer formation and growth in animal models.
Dr. Yang commented
"When animals are exposed to cancer-causing substances, the group that was fed these tocopherols in their diet had fewer and smaller tumors... when cancer cells were injected into mice these tocopherols also slowed down the development of tumors." Researchers noted that studies conducted using the synthetic mono-isomer form of vitamin E commonly used in inexpensive multi-vitamins (dl-alpha- tocopherol ) not only did not prevent prostate cancer, but its use significantly increased the risk of this disease among healthy men.
This study demonstrates the importance of consuming vitamin E from natural food sources such as nuts, seeds, and their oils to benefit from the full spectrum of tocotrienols and tocopherols, specifically the gamma and delta isomers. Dr. Yang concluded
"For people who think that they need to take vitamin E supplements, taking a mixture of vitamin E that resembles what is in our diet would be the most prudent supplement to take." One to two servings of nuts, seeds, or oil extracts daily (or a natural food-based supplement) are sufficient to provide the full benefits of all vitamin E isomers shown to significantly lower cancer risk.
Sources for this article include:http://cancerpreventionresearch.aacrjournals.orghttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120423132015.htmhttp://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/244514.phphttp://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-04/ru-vei042312.phpAbout the author:John Phillip is a Certified Nutritional Consultant and Health Researcher and Author who writes regularly on the cutting edge use of diet, lifestyle modifications and targeted supplementation to enhance and improve the quality and length of life. John is the author of 'Your Healthy Weight Loss Plan', a comprehensive EBook explaining how to use Diet, Exercise, Mind and Targeted Supplementation to achieve your weight loss goal. Visit
My Optimal Health Resource to continue reading the latest health news updates, and to download your Free 48 page copy of 'Your Healthy Weight Loss Plan'.
Have comments on this article? Post them here:
people have commented on this article.
Email this article to a friend
Now Available from 
