Written by Jessica Patella, ND. This 4 month study of 165 older adults showed how supplementing daily with 300 mg of Vitamin E reduced oxidative damage to red blood cells by 38%.
As we age, oxidative stress increases. The free radicals theory of aging proposes that aging is due to free radical reactions that cause cellular damage (2). This means that aging and age-related diseases may be due to oxidative damage. Vitamin E is a powerful anti-oxidant and recent research has shown that supplementing with Vitamin E decreases oxidative stress in middle-aged to elderly adults (1).
The Vitamin E research included 180 healthy participants from 55-70 years of age. Participants were randomly divided into four groups, with 45 participants in each group:
– Control group
– Treatment group taking 100 mg of vitamin E per day (dl alpha tocopherols).
– Treatment group taking 200 mg of vitamin E per day (dl-alpha tocopherols).
– Treatment group taking 300 mg of vitamin E per day (dl-alpha tocopherols).
There were 165 participants that completed the entire 4-month study and no adverse reactions were reported. Participants were encouraged to maintain their normal diet and physical activity and not make any changes during the study (1).
After 4 months of supplementation, significant increases in blood levels of vitamin E were detected in the supplement groups. Concentrations increased by 71% in the 100 mg group, 78% in the 200 mg group, and 95% in the 300 mg group (1).
Oxidative stress was decreased over the 4-month study by 17% in the 100 mg group, 25% in the 200 mg group and 47% in the 300 mg group (measured via malondialdehyde markers). There was no change in the placebo group (1).
The breakdown of red blood cells was lowered by 21% in the 100 mg group, 20% in the 200 mg group and 38% in the 300 mg group. The fluidity of the cell membranes improved in the 200 mg and 300 mg groups only (measured via microviscosity, which dropped by 0.302 and 0.456 respectively) (1).
Unexpectedly, the antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase, activity decreased. It was unclear to the researchers why this occurred, although past research has shown that SOD (superoxide dismutase) increases with short-term vitamin E supplementation and decreases with long term vitamin E supplementation. Further research will be needed to determine the mechanism and clarify why this occurs (1).
In conclusion, vitamin E supplementation can decrease oxidative stress and improve cell membrane fluidity in older adults (1).
Source: Sun, Yongye, et al. “Vitamin E supplementation protects erythrocyte membranes from oxidative stress in healthy Chinese middle-aged and elderly people.” Nutrition research 32.5 (2012): 328-334.
© 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Posted August 21, 2012.
Jessica Patella, ND, is a naturopathic physician specializing in nutrition and homeopathic medicine and offers a holistic approach to health. Visit her website at www.awarenesswellness.com
References:
- Sun Y, et al. Vitamin E supplementation protects erythrocyte membranes from oxidative stress in healthy Chinese middle-aged and elderly people. 2012 Nutrition Research 32; 328-334.
- Harman D. Aging: a theory based on free radical and radiation chemistry. J Gerontol 1956; 11: 298-300.
