Vitamin E and Cancer
by Abram Hoffer, M.D., PhD.
Vitamin E includes the tocopherols of which d-alpha tocopherol is the most
active. It is the major lipid soluble antioxidant protecting the polyunsaturated
fatty acids (PUFA) in membranes against peroxidation.
The usual intake is about 12 IU/day. Peroxidation of the PUFA causes membrane
damage. Vitamin E has other protective properties. It destroys nitrite, which
has been shown to increase the incidence of cancer. It protects the red blood
cells in lungs against the toxic effect of ozone and hydroxyl radical toxicity.
Thus it has been shown to have a weak protective effect against some of the cancers (1)
More recent studies have shown an inverse relationship between levels of
Vitamin E in blood and the development of cancer. One study (2) compared the
vitamin E levels in 289 patients with cancer of the colon and rectum against 1267
matched controls. The E levels were slightly lower in the cancer cases. Similar
findings were reported by Knekt (3), Palan et al., (4), and deVries, et al (5).
Knekt and colleagues (6) examined alpha-tocopherol levelsin 36,2675 adults in
Finland.
After eight years there were 766 cases of cancer. Persons with low levels had
1 1/2 times the chance of getting cancer compared to the highest level. The
association was strongest with gastrointestinal cancers and for other cancers
not related to smoking. LeGardeur et al (7) concluded from their data that
vitamin E deficiency maybe associated with lung cancer and to a greater degree
than vitamin A.
Thus the association between cancer and vitamin E consumption and cancer is
not strong, but an increasing number of reports appear showing that there is
some connection. When so many variables are involved it is very difficult to
find very high correlations between the condition and the effect of only one of
the nutrients. As long as we can not be sure what are the most effective cancer
preventive agents and therapeutic compounds it seems only prudent to ensure that
the subjects are obtaining enough vitamin E.
The main question is how much is enough. Certainly the role of the RDA's is
being seriously questioned by many and recommendations have been made that for
each disease there may be unique RDA.
Literature Cited:
(1) Comstock, G.W. Helzlsouer, K.H. and Bush, T.L. Prediagnostic serum levels
of carotenoids and vitamin E as related to subsequent cancer in Washington
County, Maryland. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 53: 260 S - 264 S, 1991.
(2) Longnecker, M.P. Martin-Morreno, J.M. Knekt, P. Nomura, A.M. Schober,
S.E.St:ahelin, H.B. Wald, N.J. Gey, K.F. and Willett, W.C. Serum alpha-tocopherol
concentrations in relation to subsequent colorectal cancer: pooled data from
five cohorts. J. Nat Can Institute 84; 430-435, 1992.
(3) Knekt, P. Role of vitamin E in the prophylaxis of cancer. Annals of
Medicine 23; 3 - 12, 1991.
(4) Palan, P.R. Mikhail, M.S. and Romney, S.L. Plasma levels of antioxidant
beta-carotene and alpha-tocopherol in uterine cervix dysplasia and cancer.
Nutrition and Cancer 15; 13 - 20, 1991.
(5) de Vries, N and Snow, G.B. Relationship of vitamins A and E and
beta-carotene serum levels to head and neck cancer patients with and without
second primary tumors. European Archives Oto-rhino-laryngology 247;
368-370,1990.
(6) Knekt, P. Aromaa, A. Maatela, J. Aaran, R.K. Nikkara, T. Hakama, M.
Hakulinen, T. Peto, R. and Teppo,L. Vitamin E and cancer prevention. American
Journal of Clinical Nutrition 53, 283S-286S, 1991.
(7) LeGardeur, B.Y., Lopez, A. and Johnson, W.D. A case-control study of
serum vitamins A, E, and C in lung cancer patients. Nutrition and Cancer
14;133-140, 1990.
More information by Dr. Hoffer about cancer treatment:
http://www.doctoryourself.com/cancer_hoffer.html
Details of a natural adjunctive cancer therapy:
http://www.doctoryourself.com/cancer.html
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