Response to “Study Finds Vitamin E May Increase Risk of Prostate Cancer”
What is the real truth about vitamin E? Vitamin E has been studied extensively over the past 2 or 3 decades and has been found to be a powerful nutrient. That means that any question as to its safety and effectiveness also receives a lot of attention.
An article published on October 11, 2011 caught my attention when the headlines indicated that vitamin E can increase the risk of prostate cancer. Whoa! How can this be possible when there are so many health benefits from supplementing with vitamin E?
My immediate thought was, “What kind of vitamin E was used in this study?” The article did not indicate what vitamin E supplement was used in the study! This is very, very important.
My questions about this study are:
1. Did they use a vitamin E supplement that contains the entire E family? Many vitamin E supplements are made of only alpha-tocopherol because it is the cheapest part of the E family to produce. There are 7 other members of the E family and they all work together to give the best results. If only one member is missing the other members cannot function as they should.
2. Was the source of the vitamin E supplement they used 100% food-based? When a supplement is 100% food-based, you receive the combination of nutrients nature planned for you.
3. Did they use a lower cost, petrochemical-based synthetic form of vitamin E? A natural food-based vitamin E has twice the potency of synthetic.
4. There are other questions to ask such as: is the oil based vitamin E easily absorbed and protected from oxidation prior to consumption?
I did go to the abstract of the above referenced study as published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. My understanding from reading the abstract is that only alpha tocopherol was used and if it was from a petrochemical source, there is no wonder it increased the risk of prostate cancer! The abstract was not clear about that.
Now let us focus on the positive side of the many benefits of supplementing with a quality vitamin E:
· Supports upper respiratory health for the elderly especially those infections associated with the common cold.
· Protects athletes from oxidative stress and inflammation caused by exercise.
· May help prevent ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.
· Helps prevent heart attacks and provides other heart healthy benefits.
· Helps build a good immune system.
· Promotes normal blood sugar levels.
· Helps promote healthy skin.
· Protects the body against free radicals (cancer causing agents).
· Promotes healthy circulation and normal cholesterol.
· Benefits joint problems such as arthritis.
· Slows the aging process and improves energy levels.
· Beneficial for premenstrual syndrome, leg cramps, and blood clotting.
· Blocks the cancer-causing nitrosamines from preservatives such as nitrites.
· Regulates metabolism.
· Prevents or minimizes neurologic disorders.
· Minimizes the risk of eye disease such as cataracts and macular degeneration.
Healthy food choices for vitamin E although it is difficult to get the entire E you need from just the foods you eat because of the amounts you would need to eat!
Wheat germ
Sunflower seeds
Spinach
Almonds
Broccoli
Brown rice
Peanuts
Peas
Butter
Whole wheat bread (I prefer sprouted grain bread)
Eggs
You decide whether you need to supplement with vitamin E and what vitamin E you will use. There is plenty of proof that vitamin E is one of the most important nutrients your body needs for long-term good health. Now you know some of the real truths about vitamin E.
Make Wise Choices for Your Health!
Pat Moon
Pat is a grandmother who started as an Independent GNLD Distributor in 1985 because of family health concerns. After experiencing positive results for several family members, she chose to share the whole food nutritional supplements and natural vitamins with other people. Her confidence in GNLD'S Whole Food Nutritional Supplements and Natural Vitamins has continued to grow because they work. Her goal is to help others have the BEST REAL HEALTH possible and slow the aging process. The products Pat uses and features are:
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{ 22 comments… read them below or add one }
“What kind of vitamin E was used in this study?” Excellent question and questions to ask!Another is "Who funded this study?" We have to sift through to find the truth behind studies. Thanks for the article, Pat.
Rachelle, I do not know the exact vitamin E used in this study other than the abstract in the American Medical Journal indicated it was a not a vitamin E that has the entire family. It is important for the vitamin E to be complete. You have brought up a good point in asking who funded the study. It was published in the American Medical Journal and this statement was made in the article I read; ““The results show that men who took vitamin E alone are actually at a higher risk of developing prostate cancer by about 17 percent, compared with a placebo,” said Dr. Eric Klein, who treats prostate patients at the Cleveland Clinic and co-chaired the study.” Thanks for the comment.
Thank you Pat for this important info. I get so tired of this kind of info being blasted all over without a real understanding of "what exactly are we talking about here". Great job!
Hi Michele, I appreciate your following and comments. Yes, it is hard to see incomplete information blasted around.
Extremely interesting article on 'Vitamin E' and the Benefits; great research in regards to this study! …Thanks Pat, Hughie
Thanks for the comment, Hughie. Your support is appreciated.
Brilliant article Pat! Love reading your articles. Thank you for sharing this post with us!
Thank you for such discerning information. I'm sure this will help countless people
ENO, your comment is very meaningful as I know you are very knowledgeable about health and how nutrition applies to health. Thanks.
Great info here. Thanks so much for your dedication to the 'whole story' about our health!
Hi Elise, thanks for your comment and dedication to listening to the ‘whole story’ about our health. Blessing to you.
Great information Pat! Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge again! I'm learning so much! 🙂
Jennifer, I’m so happy you are learning from my blog posts. My goal is to teach and give information people can use and apply. Thanks.
Sorry, didn't mean to say Beth…brain cramp! I meant Grandma Pat!
Anne, thanks for your encouraging remarks. I do appreciate your support. No worry about the brain cramp, it’s easy to do when you are busy. Thanks again.
Wow Beth…that is interesting stuff! Isnt it funny that the powers-that be would like us to believe something based on inaccurate or one-sided studies? It's frustrating. But that is the wonderful thing about someone like you who is dedicated to health and provides us with the real information. Thanks!
Pat, So glad you explained the differences in all the vitamin E supplements. We take vitamin E at our house because my Honey has cholesterol issues and until I read your article, I was considering stopping when I read about the risks. You relieved a lot of nervousness. Thanks bunches!!
Hi Beth, sometimes the media leads people astray by not giving all the facts. I am happy you were encouraged and relieved of your nervousness about the risks of a quality vitamin E.
Appreciate the valuable information you always provide Pat! Thanks!
Denny, I appreciate your support for what I do. Thanks!
This is great Pat! I've learned so much about the E vitamin just by reading one article ~ you are a great health coach! Have a nice day!
Solvita, thanks for the comment. I appreciate you calling me a health coach! Thanks!