Synthetic 'alpha tocopherol' vitamin E supplements linked to increased risk of prostate cancer

Saturday, November 12, 2011 by: Jonathan Benson, staff writer
Tags: synthetic vitamin E, prostate cancer, health news

(NaturalNews) Most of the prominent studies that have come out in condemnation of vitamin E over the years have failed to explain the type of vitamin E used. An extremely thorough analysis conducted by the Life Extension Foundation (LEF), however, reveals why the synthetic alpha tocopherol form of vitamin E used in these studies actually does increase cancer risk, as well as why getting the full spectrum of natural vitamin E, on the other hand, is vital for preventing cancer and maintaining vibrant health.

The most recent Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT), which involves more than 35,000 men from the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico, is a perfect example of deliberate, deceptive pseudoscience. This study declared that vitamin E is dangerous and that it contributes to causing prostate cancer, which is technically true -- but the reason why it is true, in context, is never properly explained.

The type of vitamin E used in the study was a synthetic version of just one form of vitamin E, alpha tocopherol. There are, in fact, four naturally occurring vitamin E tocopherols, and four naturally occurring vitamin E tocotrienols, none of which were used in the study -- instead, researchers used just one variety, and an imitation one at that.

Synthetic vitamins, of course, have been shown to behave much differently than natural vitamins when consumed. Natural vitamins derived from whole foods work in tandem with other nutrients to provide benefits, while synthetic vitamins are isolated chemicals created in a chemistry lab. These synthetic vitamins end up being largely rejected by the body, and take with them a host of leeched minerals and other nutrients on their way out.

In its analysis, LEF explains the difference between synthetic and natural forms of vitamin E, as well as why major studies about vitamin E are misleading millions. The report also explains how synthetic alpha tocopherols, when taken alone like they were in the SELECT study, actually deplete the body of necessary gamma tocopherols, which is the real reason for the increase in prostate cancer.

This and other important information is missing from the SELECT study, which LEF explains happens to have been supported and funded by every major cancer center in the country, as well as the pharmaceutical industry. Their goal, of course, is to malign vitamin E so that people will stop taking it, while conveniently omitting the fact that natural vitamin E in all of its forms can together provide tremendous disease-preventing benefits.

Be sure to read the full LEF report here:
http://www.lef.org/featured-articles/INFEML_...