Vitamin E Works (Even Better On Mutants)!
Posted November 1, 2007 by Dr. T.R. Morris
A recent study published in Circulation found that women with genetic predispositions to thrombosis had a whopping 49% reduced risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) when given vitamin E supplements. What’s the big deal? VTE can lead to pulmonary embolisms and deep vein thromboses and indicates a generally hypercoagulable state which is also associated with heart attacks and strokes. The study compared the use of 600 IU of natural vitamin E to placebo in 40,000 female subjects with and without the Factor V Leiden (G1691A) or Factor II (G20210A) mutations.
All women in the study who took Vitamin E had a reduced risk of thrombosis, but the study’s conclusion specifically stated that women with a previous history of VTE or a genetic predisposition to thrombosis could particularly benefit from vitamin E therapy. This is the kind of research that is building the up and coming field of “nutrigenomics.”
What I particularly like about this study is that they used a natural source of vitamin E, whereas previous studies used a synthetic version that inherently performs poorly. Foods high in vitamin E include: seeds and nuts, whole grains, egg yolks, and leafy green vegetables, wheat germ oil and unprocessed vegetable oils. Sadly, it is not practical to get 600IU per day from foods alone, so supplements are the way to go.
Conclusion: If you or your family have a history of thrombosis, consider getting tested for hereditary thrombosis indicators like Factor V Leiden and G20210A. If the test determines that you are at increased risk, taking a natural vitamin E supplement every day can reduce your risk of thrombosis. Simple as that.
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