Scientists reported that Vitamin E supplementation may help reduce LDL cholesterol levels by as much as 17 percent. Mixed tochopherols (the various forms of vitamin E) have been linked reduced cellular aging, skin cancer prevention, and improved immune function. The most recent study published in the online journal
Functional Foods in Health and Disease found that in individuals with elevated LDL cholesterol (the bad kind) four months of Vitamin E supplementation decreased total cholesterol levels by 11 percent and LDL levels by 17.5 percent after six months respectively.
A study in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry supports the conclusion that taking Vitamin E is a good bet in the promotion of cardiovascular health. Vitamin E has been shown to help prevent heart disease through the lowering of LDL levels by affecting metabolic rates of cholesterol in the intestine. Specifically, researchers found that Vitamin E helps downregulate the genes that are involved in cholesterol synthesis, effectively decreasing LDL levels.
References: Yeun, K. H., Wong, J. W., Lim, A. B., Ng, B.H., Choy, W. P. Effect of Mixed-Tocotrienols in Hypercholesterolemic Subjects. Functional Foods in Health and Disease. 2011. 3, 106-117.
Landrier, J., Gouranton, E., Reboul, E., Cardinault, N., El Yazidi, C. Vitamin E Decreases Endogenous cholesterol Synthesis and Apo-al-mediated Cholesterol Secretion in Caco-2 Cells. Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry. 2010. 21(12), 1207-1213.
Copyright ©2011 Charles Poliquin