Everywhere you look, you will find health claims for all kinds of supplements. This can become very confusing, but fortunately, there is some truth out there. Vitamin E Benefits are true and this vitamin has undergone a number of studies to ensure that it is really as healthy as the claims seem to show. Over the past 30 years, much has been discovered. The ODS (Office of Dietary Supplements at the National Institutes of Health has come out with a number of studies showing the usefulness of Vitamin E in treating heart disease, cancer and other problems. It is also a recognized antioxidant. This is the type of molecules that the body creates when converting food to energy. You may have heard of free radicals, which is the same thing. These can damage cells and you can become exposed through food, UV rays, pollution and smoke. Vitamin E helps prevent the damage caused by ROS. It can help stop the process of oxidation.

How does Vitamin E help counteract Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS)? Reactive oxygen species may sound quite ominous, but it a term that is used to describe the molecules that are produced when the food is converted into energy. These molecules are commonly referred to as free radicals. These compounds react with oxygen and form ROS. ROS can damage the cells in the body. People are also exposed to ROS from the environment. Vitamin E is a fat-soluble antioxidant. It helps prevent the production of ROS. Scientists are also doing research to see if destroying free radicals helps prevent diseases in the cells. They have not yet proven this theory, but they have proven that vitamin E helps stop the oxidation process.

The Underlying Chemistry Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) refers to a process of the human body converting food to useable energy. A certain set of molecules facilitates this process. These microscopic particles are also known as free radicals that are characterized by one unshared electron. ROS molecules require oxygen in order to function properly. They can unfortunately also cause certain types of cellular damage in the body. Exposure to ROS molecules can also come from environmental factors such as ultraviolet radiation, poor air quality, and cigarette smoke.

Cognitive Decline The brain is composed of oxygen and fatty acids. Free radicals can damage the neurons. Over time, damaged neurons can cause neurodegenerative diseases. Antioxidants can help reduce cognitive decline by reducing the damage to the neurons.

Heart Diseases Over the years, research has indicated that this valuable vitamin can actually prevent or at least delay heart problems through prevention of low density lipoprotein oxidation. It has also been shown that Vitamin E may prevent blood clots which can result in heart attacks.

Improved Brain Function An abundance of fatty acids is essential for healthy brain function. Free radicals can also be responsible for neuron damage over time in some types of brain cells. This process can be a contributing factor to various neurodegenerative conditions. Antioxidants such as vitamin E can frequently reverse this process when taken consistently.

Cancer Prevention Free radical replication is also tied to certain types of cancer when allowed to go on unchecked. The antioxidant properties of vitamin E can create a protective barrier against this kind of harmful cell growth. Current completed research is not completely conclusive, although researchers have recorded plenty of preliminary supporting evidence. Vitamin E capsules taken as part of a balanced diet can block the development of carcinogenic nitrosamines that are thought to be responsible for the development of stomach cancer. Cardiovascular Disease: Vitamin E is also thought to lower the average amount of harmful low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol that can clog blood vessels and lead to atherosclerosis. This cholesterol is thought to be instrumental in the formation of plaques within blood vessel walls that can narrow and harden arteries over time. Reducing these types of blood vessel plaques can lower the average chances of heart attacks or strokes.

If you found this article interesting and would like to know more about the many vitamin E benefits please head over to the Vitamin E Benefits website for lots more great information on vitamins, supplements and fitness products.