The roles of vitamin E

Vitamin E is the generic descriptor for all tocol and tocotrienols derivatives that exhibit qualitatively the biological activity of alpha-tocopherol. These compounds are isoprenoid side chain derivatives of 6-chromanol.

Vitamin E helps reduce oxidation of lipid membranes and the unsaturated fatty acids and prevents the breakdown of other nutrients by oxygen.

In this regard, vitamin E has functional importance in the maintenance of membrane integrity in virtually all cells of the body. Vitamin E is considered a significant line of defense against lipid oxidation, offsetting oxidative damage that occurs with disease, injury, inflammation and environmental insult.

Some scientists compare the function of vitamin E on the cell membrane to a lightening and nullifying the damage that occurs of lightening strikes.

Because of its antioxidant capabilities, vitamin E helps protect the body from mercury, lead, carbon tetrachloride, benzene, the ozone, nitrous oxide and a variety of other carcinogens and toxins that bring about harm through their ability to act as free radicals.

Observational studies have suggested that high intake of antioxidant including vitamins E, may lower the risk of some chronic disease, especially heart disease.

In addition, vitamin E helps to increase the body’s level of superoxide dismutase, an enzyme that like vitamin E itself is a powerful free radical scavenger.

Different forms of vitamin E, other than alpha-tocopherol, have immuno-regulatory functions. Vitamin E improved T-cell responsiveness in this system by reducing macrophage PGE2 production.

In chronic wounds, necrotic tissue, bacteria, and ischemia trigger inflammatory cascades that enhance liberation of free radicals. Vitamin E may decrease damage to the wound induced by excessive free radical release.

Vitamin E deficiency impairs several aspects of the immune response, including B and T cell medicated immunity as well as the function of phagocytic cells.
The roles of vitamin E