Low Vitamin E Means Less Memory
Studies of older people confirm vitamin E’s importance. They indicate that seniors who are very low in vitamin E run a greater risk of experiencing memory difficulties. Research in Finland, for instance, that measured the blood levels of vitamin E in people over age 65 shows that the types of vitamin E known as gamma-tocopherol and beta-tocotrienol are most important for a better memory as are the total tocotrienol levels in people’s blood.2 To better understand this research, you have to keep in mind that there are eight different varieties of vitamin E. Four forms are classified as tocopherols– alpha, beta, gamma and delta tocopherol – and four other forms are tocotrienols – alpha, beta, gamma, delta tocotrienol. Years ago, much of the initial research on vitamin E only looked at the effects of alpha tocopherol. But all eight forms of vitamin E are important for health.Can Vitamin E be Harmful?
While some researchers claim that taking vitamin E supplements may be problematic for your health, Maret Traber, at Oregon, who has performed intense research on all the forms of vitamin E, says that this concern is unfounded. In her view, “experts” who claim to have uncovered indications that vitamin E supplements can lead to things like cancer are not analyzing the research results correctly.3 "I believe that past studies which have alleged adverse consequences from vitamin E have misinterpreted the data," she says. "Taking too much vitamin E is not the real concern. A much more important issue is that more than 90 percent of people in the US have inadequate levels of vitamin E in their diet.” She points out that vitamin E acts as a fat-soluble antioxidant that protects virtually all the cell membranes in the body. It also operates as an anticoagulant that prevents excessive blood clotting. To get more vitamin E in your meals and snacks, eat foods relatively rich in vitamin E like sunflower seeds, almonds, spinach, avocado and red pepper. If you take supplements, make sure they include all the basic, natural forms of vitamin E – both the tocopherols and the tocotrienols. The tocotrienols can be hard to find. They aren’t found in most vitamin E supplements, so you should probably figure on getting your vitamin E on the internet.