Vitamin E from Diet Protects against Many Forms of Cancer

Cancer is a leading cause of death in many western cultures, second only to heart disease. A wide array of research bodies exist to provide solid evidence that this killer disease is largely promoted by poor lifestyle habits, especially diet. Medical researchers have long known that there is a definite connection between cancer and the fat soluble vitamin E. Some studies have concluded a positive relationship between the two, while others vilify vitamin E as a cancer progenitor.

Researchers at the Center for Cancer Prevention Research at Rutgers University have published the result of a study in the journal Cancer Prevention Research that demonstrates that vitamin E from dietary sources has a profound effect on cancer development and progression. The scientists have found that two forms of vitamin E, gamma and delta-tocopherols found in soybean, canola and corn oils as well as nuts do prevent colon, lung, breast and prostate cancers.

Vitamin E from Nuts, Seeds and their Oils Provide Broad-Spectrum Protection against Cancer

Researchers know that in the past, studies have shown an increased risk of cancer and decrease in bone density with vitamin E from supplements. Unfortunately, those studies either used a synthetic form of the vitamin known as dl-alpha- tocopherol or they did not specify the form of vitamin E used. Vitamin E exists in a variety of forms called tocotrienols and tocopherols which occur in natural balance in many nuts, seeds and their cold-pressed oils.

The Rutgers study author, Dr. Chung S. Yang and his team conducted studies on animals that examined associated risk for developing colon, lung, breast and prostate cancer. The scientists found that the forms of vitamin E in vegetable oils, gamma and delta-tocopherols, prevent cancer formation and growth in animal models.

Vitamin E from Natural Foods Sources and Full-Spectrum Supplementation Promotes a Cancer-Free Lifestyle

Dr. Yang commented “When animals are exposed to cancer-causing substances, the group that was fed these tocopherols in their diet had fewer and smaller tumors… when cancer cells were injected into mice these tocopherols also slowed down the development of tumors.” Researchers noted that studies conducted using the synthetic mono-isomer form of vitamin E commonly used in inexpensive multi-vitamins (dl-alpha- tocopherol ) not only did not prevent prostate cancer, but its use significantly increased the risk of this disease among healthy men.

This study demonstrates the importance of consuming vitamin E from natural food sources such as nuts, seeds and their oils to benefit from the full spectrum of tocotrienols and tocopherols, specifically the gamma and delta isomers. Dr. Yang concluded “For people who think that they need to take vitamin E supplements, taking a mixture of vitamin E that resembles what is in our diet would be the most prudent supplement to take.” One to two servings of nuts, seeds or oil extracts daily (or a natural food-based supplement) are sufficient to provide the full benefits of all vitamin E isomers shown to significantly lower cancer risk.