Vitamin E Promotes Oxidation
Oxidation is a chemical reaction in the body that can produce harmful molecules that damage tissue. Antioxidants such as vitamin E are believed to help fight certain illnesses by blunting the effects of oxidation.
A new study confirms laboratory findings that suggest vitamin E can promote oxidation in the human body under certain conditions--specifically, in smokers eating a diet high in polyunsaturated fat.
To determine if vitamin E can function as a pro-oxidant, meaning it promotes oxidation rather than fighting it, researchers assigned 10 people who smoked more than one pack of cigarettes per day to follow a diet high in monounsaturated fat for 3 weeks. The subjects then followed a diet high in polyunsaturated fat for 3 weeks.
The subjects recorded had increased levels of F2-isoprostanes and prostaglandin F2-alpha, chemicals that indicated oxidation was taking place. The researchers later added 800 IU vitamin E per day to the polyunsaturated fat diet. After 3 weeks, it was found that there was even more evidence of oxidation. Mean levels of F2-isoprostanes and prostaglandin F2-alpha increased further.
As F2-isoprostanes are vasoactive on the blood vessels and increase platelet activation, these findings suggest caution in the use of high-dose vitamin E supplementation as a therapeutic means to reduce the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in cigarette smokers according to the researchers.
In some past studies, vitamin E has not been protective against heart or blood vessel disease caused by atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries. The Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology (2001; 21:1029) added that some data suggests that the vitamin actually increases the risk of heart attack and stroke in smokers.
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