What You Should Know About Vitamin E  - (in Relation to Prostate Cancer,
  Breast Cancer, Erectile Dysfunction, and Heart Problems.)
  by James Occhiogrosso, N.D.

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Vitamin E is a well-known antioxidant and has been promoted as a preventive agent for many different illnesses.  It is available in natural (d-alpha-tocopherol) and synthetic (dl-alpha-tocopherol) forms. The natural form is more expensive but also more active and is the preferred form. 

There are eight slightly different molecules in two groups that make up the vitamin E family; tocopherols and tocotrienols.  Each group contains four forms of vitamin E named alpha, beta, gamma, and delta.  Older studies conclude that the d-alpha-tocopherol form of vitamin E has some ability to inhibit prostate cancer and breast cancer growth.  However, other fractions of vitamin E are not as well studied as the d-alpha-tocopherol form, and more recent studies indicate they are even more powerful. A significant decrease in risk of prostate cancer is associated with the d-gamma-tocopherol form of vitamin E. [1] [2] 

A study in Finland, designed to evaluate the use of vitamin E and beta-carotene for lung cancer prevention among male smokers had the unexpected result of a strong protective effect of vitamin E on the incidence of prostate cancer and mortality. [3] [4] Other studies followed the Finland study in an attempt to confirm this benefit. One concluded that while supplemental vitamin E did not appear to be associated with the risk of prostate cancer, it did appear to reduce the risk of fatal prostate cancer among current smokers and recent quitters.  Smokers typically have low levels of vitamin C as smoking tends to deplete it.   A recent study also noted a similar depletion of vitamin E that can be prevented with higher intake of Vitamin C. [5]  This strongly suggests a synergistic effect between these vitamins.

Considerable evidence also exists for a synergistic relationship between vitamin E and selenium.  Studies show conclusively that natural vitamin E and selenium are protective against both prostate and breast disorders.  This synergistic relationship is particularly strong in regard to switching on the full effects of the body’s apoptosis (natural cell death) machinery against cancerous growths. [6] 

Vitamin E, in particular, generally inhibits cell proliferation and enhances apoptosis (the process where defective cells are instructed to commit suicide) in both breast and prostate cancer cells.  This alteration of growth and natural cell death of dividing cells by vitamin E and selenium is significantly more effective in breast and prostate cancer than other cancers.  [7] [8] 

Recent research on the effects of the tocotrienol fractions of vitamin E strongly indicates they can help with many other problems.  One study found that tocotrienols could help clear blockages in the carotid arteries (the main suppliers of blood to the brain), potentially reducing the risk of stroke. [9]  Others have shown that tocotrienols can reduce the level of low-density lipoproteins (LDL), the bad form of cholesterol in the blood, as well as improve nervous system communication. [10] [11]   Narrowing of arteries in the human body do not occur in isolation.  This is critical for men with erectile dysfunction to understand.  If there are deposits in the carotid arteries, then it is likely that similar problems exist in penile arteries.  Thus, tocotrienols may help with erectile dysfunction caused by impaired blood circulation and clogged arteries. 

Most vitamin E supplements contain only alpha-tocopherol, and this is the type of vitamin E used in many older studies.  In the recent past, there has been conflicting news about vitamin E in the media.  Several studies found supplementation with vitamin E to be ineffective in reducing deaths from cardiovascular disease and concluded that large doses may be harmful.  However, foods known to be high in natural vitamin E are protective against many diseases.  One study found a protective effect against Alzheimer’s disease using full spectrum vitamin E from food instead of a single fraction alpha-tocopherol supplement. [12]  Also, studies show that certain foods, like nuts and certain oils, which contain copious amounts of all eight fractions of vitamin E, are highly protective against cancer.  Thus, foods provide a much broader spectrum of the vitamin E components then do most over-the-counter vitamin E supplements.  Excepting the past decade or so, studies of vitamin E centered on the alpha-tocopherol fraction.  This likely accounts for some of the conflicting results.  Unfortunately, the tocotrienol fractions of vitamin E have not been studied as extensively as the tocopherol group but recent research indicates tocotrienol has significant activity for the prevention of prostate and breast cancer.  [13] [14] [15] [16]  One study concluded:

“The physiological activities of tocotrienol suggest it to be superior than alpha-tocopherol in many situations. Hence, the role of tocotrienol in the prevention of cardiovascular disease and cancer may have significant clinical implications. Additional studies on its mechanism of action, as well as, long-term intervention studies, are needed to clarify its function. From the pharmacological point-of-view, the current formulation of vitamin E supplements, which is comprised mainly of alpha-tocopherol, may be questionable.”  [17]

The tocopherol fractions of vitamin E may also inhibit cancer cell growth.  Both alpha-tocopherol and gamma-tocopherol have been proven to be effective in controlling the growth of prostate cancer.  However, gamma-tocopherol appears to offer benefits that are more significant. [18] [19]  A study that compared the effects of synthetic alpha-tocopherol to natural gamma-tocopherol found that the latter inhibited prostate cancer growth at concentrations 1,000 times lower.  [20] 

It is important to take only natural vitamin E supplements, prefixed with “d” instead of “dl.”  Most over-the-counter vitamin E products, especially inexpensive ones, contain only synthetic alpha-tocopherol (dl-alpha-tocopherol) and the benefits derived from taking them are, at best, marginal.  Acceptable vitamin E supplements contain at least the four tocopherol components of natural vitamin E.  Better supplements also have all four tocotrienol fractions derived from palm oil.  Unfortunately, the latter are expensive, but then, so is treating cancer and other diseases!  Palm oil is exceptionally high in tocotrienols and is the preferred source.  It is also an excellent general-purpose oil that is stable and provides good texture and flavor.  But when cost issues are weighed against health issues in food processing, cost issues usually win.  Vegetable oils are considerably cheaper than palm, coconut, or olive oils, and thus they are the primary oils used by both manufacturers and consumers. 

While it is best to obtain vitamin E from food products rather than supplements, it is difficult to obtain sufficient levels solely from food.  However, there are many foods that are high in vitamin E.  Good dietary sources of vitamin E are virtually all nuts and seeds, particularly almonds and walnuts, and oils like palm, olive, and coconut. 

The prostate cancer research institute (www.PCRI.org) recommends a dose of 400 IU of natural vitamin E as d-alpha-tocopherol, along with 210 mg of d-gamma-tocopherol as part of its basic preventative measures. [21]  In light of the latest research, it seems prudent to take a vitamin E supplement that contains all eight of the vitamin E fractions along with the above.  Again, you should use only the natural form with palm oil being the preferred source.  The natural tocotrienol in palm oil has also been shown to be protective for your heart.  [22]