Positive Health Online

Abstract

PEKMEZCI, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ondokuz Mayis, Kurupelit, Samsun, Turkey reviewed Vitamin E’s immunomodulatory  effects, its antioxidant properties against cancer and limiting the progression of heart disease.

Background

Vitamin E is the most important chain-breaking, lipid-soluble antioxidant present in body tissues of all cells and is considered the first line of defence against lipid peroxidation and it is important for normal function of the immune cells. However, vitamin E deficiency is rare in well-nourished healthy subjects and is not a problem, even among people living on relatively poor diets, both T- and B-cell functions are impaired by vitamin E deficiency.

Methodology

While immune cells are particularly enriched in vitamin E because of their high polyunsaturated fatty acid content, this point puts them at especially high risk for oxidative damage.

Results

Besides its immunomodulatory effects, vitamin E also plays an important role in carcinogenesis with its antioxidant properties against cancer, and ischemic heart disease with limiting the progression of atherosclerosis.

Conclusion

Supplementation of vitamin E significantly enhances both cell mediated and humoral immune functions in humans, especially in the elderly and animals.

References

Pekmezci D. Vitamin E and immunity. [Review] Source Vitamins & Hormones. 86:179-215, 2011.

Comment

It is encouraging to read reviews which continue to document Vitamin E’s immune-enhancing and antioxidant properties important against cancer and heart disease.