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Vitamin E - Benefits To Aging Baby Boomers

In viewing and reviewing the different forums and websites geared to baby boomers, I get the impression that most feel we are aging faster than we should. The quality of life drops dramatically when this happens. As a matter of fact, there is a vicious cycle that begins.

The aging begins to grab hold of us but more importantly, the thought of it begins to get a foot hold in our minds. It begins to make us think that how we feel is natural. It should not be! One person (I don't know who) made the statement that we should grow old and die of old age not from disease ridden bodies. Vitamin E is a valuable asset that we as baby boomers can use to put off the aging process and things that make us feel older than we should.

It is one of the fat-soluble vitamins. It exist in two forms known as tocopherol and tocotrienol. Each form can then be described as alpha, beta, gamma or delta. One form happens to be more active and it is also the one that is maintained in the body. That one is the alpha-tocopherol form.

The vitamin can exist in a synthetic and a natural form. The natural form is up to twice as active as the synthetic one in its performance. The synthetic form is labeled with "D, L" and the natural form is labeled with a "D".

Vitamin E, particularly whenever taken as a dietary supplement, is an antioxidant and will help safeguard the body against the influences of free radicals. The free radicals caused by the metabolic process in oxidation often harm the cell membranes.

This is achieved primarily by the fact that the part of the cell membranes that is fat is very susceptible to the damaging action of the free radicals. The alpha-tocopherol form of vitamin E has the ability to block and render harmless the effects of the free radicals against the cell membranes. It has this ability because of its fat-soluble character.

Alpha-tocopherol is most efficient as an antioxidant when taken in the form of dietary supplements. Benefits of the vitamin as an antioxidant have been shown both in the prevention and delay of coronary heart disease. It accomplishes this by preventing the oxidation of LDL-cholesterol. It has also proven effective with cancers such as prostate, breast and colon.

The later was quoted as being "especially in women under 65 years of age". Another study involving people taking vitamin E in the form of supplements for at least ten years "had a reduced risk of death from bladder cancer".

The Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University states the following:

"Scientists at the Linus Pauling Institute feel there exists credible evidence that taking a supplement of 200 IU (134 mg) of natural source d-alpha-tocopherol (RRR-alpha-tocopherol) daily with a meal may help protect adults from chronic diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, neurodegenerative diseases, and some types of cancer."

Vitamin E also impacts the health of baby boomers in areas such as their immune system function, cataract prevention due to improved lens clarity, DNA repair by preventing potential damage to cells and nervous system dysfunction associated with a deficiency of the vitamin. Many studies involving vitamin E have also been done concerning the prevention of Alzheimer's Disease.

Baby boomers seem to be the group most largely affected by the use of the vitamin and/or the deficiency of it. Vitamin E deficiency is relatively uncommon in people but certain conditions may dictate the use of additional supplements.

Some people have an inability to absorb the vitamin in the gastrointestinal tract because of serious diseases like Crohn's Disease and Cystic Fibrosis. The absorption is reduced due to the lack of dietary fat. Zinc deficiency also decreases the levels of vitamin E in the body. One final area of concern for causing deficiency are in those people who can't secrete enough bile to aid in fat digestion.    

The Recommended Dietary Allowance by most organizations is 15 milligrams per day. Some of the best sources, besides dietary supplements, are foods that have vegetable oils including olive oil, nuts, green leafy vegetables, and fortified cereals.

Specific to the Baby Boomers

Antioxidant - The antioxidant ability helps protect the body against the effects of free radicals.

Heart Disease - Heart disease prevention or delay is accomplished by limiting LDL-cholesterol oxidation.

Cancer - Cancer such as prostate, breast, colon and bladder have been shown to have been reduced in occurrence.

Alzheimer's Disease - Alzheimer's Disease studies using vitamin E have shown help in prevention.

Immune System - The immune system is greatly aided by its antioxidant  actions.

DNA - DNA repair is supported.

Cataracts - Cataract detection and prevention is supported.

Nerous System - The nervous system is supported by its actions.

Please note that when taking supplements you should always consult your physician or a trusted nutritionist.

About the Author

This article was compiled and written by George Hollis. Mr. Hollis is a baby boomer who wishes to present information concerning health and wealth that is of benefit and specific to baby boomers around the world. He is also the owner and author of content on BoomersProfit.com, a site wholly dedicated to baby boomers.

The Alpha Cypher 2011. C/O Traphik, D-Pryde, Baby Pun + MORE (Jermz The Lion)

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