Vitamin E Complete with Selenium

For decades, vitamin E has been regarded as one of the most popular single-ingredient dietary supplements. Ongoing research has substantiated vitamin E’s potent antioxidative ability to treat chronic and degenerative diseases such as cardiovascular disease and cancer.1

Several observational surveys have linked populations with a large intake of vitamin E with reduced incidence of cardiovascular disease. Studies have also found that men and women with high intakes of vitamin E have less coronary artery disease—a chronic disease in which the coronary arteries are hardened and narrowed (atherosclerosis). In addition, vitamin E supplementation has been associated with a significant reduction in myocardial infarction (heart attack). Results from the 1996 Cambridge Heart Antioxidant Study (CHAOS) showed that natural vitamin E (400 to 800 IU daily) reduced the risk of nonfatal heart attacks by 77% in patients with coronary atherosclerosis. Likewise, a large double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial found that patients with kidney disease, who also had pre-existing cardiovascular disease, had a 70% reduction in nonfatal heart attacks while taking natural vitamin E (800 IU daily).2-6

There is also evidence to suggest that individuals with higher serum vitamin E levels, as well as those taking vitamin E supplements, have a decreased risk of some cancers, including gastrointestinal, lung, prostate and stomach cancer. Likewise, a population-based study conducted between 1984 and 1985 showed reduced oral and esophageal cancer among those who regularly supplemented with vitamin E. In addition, randomized clinical trials have demonstrated protective effects of vitamin E against prostate cancer. In fact, preclinical, epidemiological, and phase III data from randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials suggest that both vitamin E and selenium have potential efficacy in prostate cancer prevention. Furthermore, vitamin E has been shown to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy. Supplementation with vitamin E among patients on cisplatin chemotherapy has been shown to significantly lower the incidence and severity of peripheral neurotoxicity—toxicity to nervous tissue including both the brain and peripheral nerves—compared to patients who were not supplemented with vitamin E. Neurotoxicity is a common side effect of cisplatin therapy that can manifest as polyneuropathy (a disorder involving slowly progressive or repeated episodes of loss of movement or sensation, related to inflammation of multiple nerves), ototoxicity (damage to the hearing or balance functions of the ear, caused by drugs or chemicals) or, rarely, focal encephalopathy (a degenerative brain disorder caused by disease, injury, drugs or chemicals).7-13

Recent findings indicate that vitamin E has a much broader array of biological activities than originally determined. Along with its established role as an antioxidant, it is becoming evident that vitamin E can also suppress local and chronic inflammation; improve insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetes, nondiabetics and hypertensives (individuals with high blood pressure); and enhance immune function. Vitamin E is actually present in higher concentrations in immune cells than in any other cells of the body. Studies show that people with lower serum levels of vitamin E are significantly more susceptible to infection than those with higher levels. However, supplemental vitamin E has been found to improve immune responses in both sick and healthy individuals.8,9,14-18

Vitamin E has also shown promise in treating preeclampsia—a complication of pregnancy involving hypertension (high blood pressure) and edema, which is a major cause of both maternal and fetal-neonatal morbidity (a diseased condition) and mortality (death). Two different studies by researchers in India found significantly lower blood levels of vitamin E (as well as vitamin C) in preeclamptic women as compared to normotensive pregnant and non-pregnant women. Likewise, a recent study conducted in England involving 53 preeclamptic women found that selenium concentrations were significantly lower in the preeclamptic subjects than in healthy pregnant matched controls.1,19,20

Furthermore, several human studies have found that low levels of vitamin E intake are associated with increased risk for cataract development. One study found that the risk of nuclear opacification—clouding of the ocular (eye) lens, which is associated closely with the development of cataracts—among regular users of vitamin E supplements and individuals with higher plasma levels of vitamin E was reduced by approximately half.8,21-24

Vitamin E is actually not a single entity, but rather a lipid (fat) soluble micronutrient containing 8 active, naturally occurring plant constituents—4 tocopherols (alpha, beta, delta, gamma) and 4 tocotrienols (alpha, beta, delta, gamma). Collectively, these compounds are known as vitamin E. Researchers have determined that the biologic functions of tocopherols and tocotrienols appear unrelated, thus indicating a need for both. For example, tocotrienols appear to have tumor-inhibiting properties against breast cancer cells, which is a property tocopherols do not appear to have. Tocotrienols also demonstrate lipid-lowering effects. A double-blind, crossover, 8-week study of 25 men and women found that those receiving tocotrienols had a significant reduction in LDL cholesterol levels compared with the placebo group. Additional research has shown that tocotrienols, particularly gamma-tocotrienol, may fight arteriosclerosis—a cause of heart attacks and strokes—better than tocopherols. Furthermore, preliminary data indicates that tocotrienols can cross the blood-brain barrier and are potent protectors of neuron cells that may be killed as a result of stroke and other neurodegenerative diseases. In fact, the antioxidant powers of tocotrienols have been proven to be much stronger than tocopherols. Thus, research suggests that a prudent approach to vitamin E supplementation for a healthy individual may be to take a supplement providing mixed tocopherols and tocotrienols.8,25-32

Historically, experts theorized that vitamin E would increase the effects of warfarin (Coumadin) by causing a deficiency of vitamin K—a fat-soluble vitamin responsible for blood clotting. However, in a recent double-blind clinical trial of 21 patients on chronic warfarin therapy, no significant effect on prothrombin times (a test that measures the clotting time of blood) was observed when 800-1200mg of vitamin E per day was given. Researchers concluded that “it appears that vitamin E can safely be given to patients who require chronic warfarin therapy.”8,26,33

Natural vitamin E (d-alpha-tocopherol) has a higher bioavailability than synthetic vitamin E (dl-alpha-tocopherol). In one study, Japanese researchers found that it took 300mg of synthetic vitamin E to equal the blood levels achieved in healthy subjects by a 100mg dose of natural vitamin E. Furthermore, researchers at Oregon State University found that the human body excretes synthetic vitamin E three times faster than natural vitamin E. Natural forms of vitamin E are extracted from wheat germ oil, soybeans and other vitamin E food sources, unlike synthetic forms, which are extracted from petroleum oils. Furthermore, since vitamin E is fat soluble, supplements may be better-absorbed when taken with food.8,34-37

Each softgel capsule of NSP’s Vitamin E Complete with Selenium provides 400 IU natural vitamin E, including 30mg tocopherols (alpha, beta, delta and gamma) and 5mg mixed tocotrienols (alpha, beta, delta and gamma), in a base of soybean oil and annatto (a natural food coloring and antioxidant agent).38,39

Selenium is a trace mineral that works together with vitamin E as an antioxidant. Low levels of selenium have been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, asthma, endemic goiter (enlarged thyroid), sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and multiple sclerosis, as well as cervical dysplasias (abnormal cervical tissue growths) in women. Selenium levels also appear to be severely depleted in individuals suffering from liver disease, especially cirrhosis and hepatitis. Furthermore, results show children with food allergy display higher risk of selenium deficiency.40-43

An association between selenium status and low plasma T3 (a thyroid hormone) levels has also been documented. In fact, areas with severe selenium deficiency report a higher incidence of thyroiditis—an autoimmune disorder that destroys the thyroid. In a randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled study in women with autoimmune thyroiditis, selenium supplementation (200mcg daily for 3 months) significantly decreased thyroid (peroxidase) specific antibodies (TPOAb) from 100% to 63.6%, while more importantly, 9 out of 36 patients exhibited completely normalized antibody concentrations. Plasma TPOAb levels, which reflect thyroid inflammation, are believed to be a specific indicator for autoimmune thyroiditis.40,44

Low dietary levels of selenium have also been associated with an increased incidence of cancer. In 1996, a clinical intervention study found that patients treated with selenium had significant reductions in total cancer mortality, total cancer incidence, and incidences of lung, colorectal, and prostate cancers. A number of U.S. studies have confirmed that men with low intake of selenium have a higher risk of prostate cancer than men with high intake of selenium. Likewise, recent clinical trials have shown that selenium significantly reduces the incidence of clinical prostate cancer. For example, results of one randomized, double-blind, controlled cancer prevention trial found that selenium treatment was associated with a significant (63%) reduction in prostate cancer incidence. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men in the U.S. Furthermore, on February 21, 2003, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized the use of 2 health claims in the labeling of dietary supplements containing selenium—first, selenium may reduce the risk of certain cancers; and second, selenium may produce anticarcinogenic effects in the body. However, the FDA also required labels to include the disclaimer, “the FDA has determined that this evidence is limited and not conclusive.”45-50

In addition to its antioxidant and anti-cancer properties, selenium also appears to work as an anti-inflammatory agent in certain disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis—a chronic inflammatory disease with marked selenium deficiency that destroys the joints. Results of a double-blind study found that supplementing with selenium (200mcg daily for 3 months) significantly reduced painful joint involvement—patients demonstrated less morning stiffness and tender or swollen joints. Furthermore, selenium may also be effective in the treatment and prevention of other conditions, including cystic fibrosis (a genetic disease affecting the pancreas, respiratory system and sweat glands), otitis media (middle ear infection/inflammation), and celiac disease (an inability to tolerate the wheat protein gluten), as well as slowing the aging process.40,41,51