Old Studies on Vitamin E.
What old studies have been done on vitamin E? In 1953 Dr. M.K. Horwitt,head of the biochemical Research Laboratory at Elgin State hospital in Elgin,Illinois,made the first study of what happens when humans are maintained for periods of time on low- E diets. The project spanned more than eight years,making it one of the longest-as well as the most thorough studies of human metabolism under controlled conditions. A total of thirty eight subjects participated in the study. The outcome was simply stated as: " There was no apparent physical or mental impairment caused by the restriction intake of vitamin E. Low e patients remained in satisfactory health,despite the lowering of alpha-tocopherol ( now called vitamin E) in their blood by 80 percent. However, their red blood cells did have somewhat of a shorter survival time,on average,about 110 days instead of 123, than those of the comparison groups. The shorter cell survival time was considered sufficient enough to terminate the experiment." of vitamin E had developed anemia,and Dr. Horwitt didn't want to risk that possibility with the Elgin patients.In short,the study showed that humans apparently need some vitamin E-but the requirement is modest,and can be satisfied by typical everyday diets."In fact,in 1973 the National Research Council ( NRC) announced a new much lower recommended daily allowance of vitamin E. The former international units (IU) for adults was 25 to 30 unit,but was cut to 12 to 15 IU ( equivalent to approximately 8 to 10 milligrams) and found in natural foods, such as,most vegetable oils, margarine,whole grain cereals, meats,fish,poultry,milk,eggs,legumes,fruits,and nuts. Margarine has at least thirteen times more vitamin E than butter. A salmon steak contains ten times the e vitamin of a beefsteak,pound for pound. And despite refining procedures,most vegetable oils are high in polyunsaturated fats,are also adequate sources of vitamin e. The (NRC) made it clear in a June 1973 statement. " Vitamin E is available in adequate quantities in the ordinary diet." participates of the study developed peptic ulcers disease which showed up in X-ray examinations,although, not in patient symptoms. But after extensive expert studies,it was concluded that the ailment was cause by factors other than vitamin E deficiency. Significantly,the incidence of ulcers was no higher among low-E patients than among those who received the same diet plus vitamin e supplements. Despite countless studies done over the years discounting vitamin E as a cure for and prevention of arthritis,ulcers,heart disease,infertility and warts. The claims keep coming ,and the cash registers keep ringing. strength and endurance. Nearly fifty years ago,three British researchers, Drs. I. M. Sharman, M. G. Down,and R. N. Sen, decided to test the possibility. Thirteen boys in a boarding school was given 400 milligrams of vitamin e daily during a six week program of intensive physical training. Before and after the six- week period,they were subjected to a variety of tests-including pull-ups,push-ups,sit-ups,breath-holding,running,and swimming endurance. At the end of the six week period the boys showed significant improvement. Then a second group of boys were matched to the thirteen test subjects in age,weight,and other criteria,were put to the same test but were given a placebo similar in appearance to the vitamin e capsule taken by the test subjects. And guess what? The placebo group also improved! "No significant difference were found between the two groups,"the British researchers reported."In addition,alpha tocopherol has been used for nearly a hundred years as a medicine. Ranging form 300 to 600 milligrams a day or even higher;thirty to seventy-five times the recommended daily allowance of the NRC. The news magazine" Time" first broke the story of vitamin E as a medicine in its June 10,1946 issue. "Out of Canada last week came news of a startling scientific discovery: a treatment for heart disease(the nations No.1 killer) which so far has succeeded against all common forms of the ailment...large,concentrated doses of vitamin E benefited four types of heart ailment( 95 per cent of the total):arteriosclerotic, hypertensive, rheumatic,old and new coronary heart disease. The vitamin helps a failing heart. It eliminates anginal pain. It is non-toxic." The clinical trials at that "Time"were conducted by three Canadian physicians-Dr. Evan Shute,of the American College of Obstetrician and Gynecologist and of the Royal College of Surgeons (Canada); his brother,Dr. Wilfrid E. Shute,a specialist in heart disease,and Dr. Albert Vogelsang. They based their conclusions on personal experiences with patents. An example reported by Dr. Wilfrid,involved a fifteen year old boy who had suffered a second attack of acute rheumatic fever. During the first attack the boy had been hospitalized for an extended period of time. The next time,Dr. Shute did not recommend hospitalization."The only treatment I used for the boy was 200 units of alpha-tocopherol daily,"Dr. Shute reported." In three days he was apparently well,and on the sixth day he walked into my office. He was able to return to normal farm activities." The Canadian group reported on eighty-four patients of theirs treated with vitamin E. According to the group,all the patients had symptoms of angina pectoris-chest pain usually associated with coronary heart disease-and the majority had responded positively to vitamin E treatment." ( mostly American),all reporting the worthlessness of vitamin E during clinical trials with patients who suffered with heart diseases. These reports were written by thirty-two researchers, including eminent cardiologist and professors of internal medicine. They involved 450 patients,as compared with the 84 used in the Canadian Dr. Shute,and Vogelsang report. Dr. Herbert Eichert of Miami,Florida sent questionnaires to department heads at medical schools throughout the United States. "Most of the clinicians,he reported,"abandoned their trials because of the utter lack of response during the preliminary phase of their investigations." So after nearly a hundred years later,the war between the American pharmaceutical Industry and the Canadian continues. So who do we believe? Maybe it's time to, to some extent,be our own judge? With the on going controversy about the E vitamin and it's benefits,you may wonder. Who made vitamin E? Where did it come from? What is it good for? Do I need it? How do I know if I need it? Hopefully,most of your questions have been answered. But lets take a look at the history of vitamin E. Over a hundred years ago scientists isolated a group of six or more substances called tocopherols, designated as alpha,beta,gamma. The alpha form of tocopherol was found to be the most biologically potent. In 1938 the substance was synthesized,and today better known as "vitamin E." Early research had shown the Vitamin to be dietary essential for many animal species, but no human benefits could be found. " For years it remained a vitamin in search of a disease." Is vitamin E a magical cure for all diseases that's being covered up by the medical industry? These claims have appeared in magazine articles and paper back books. Bearing such titles as " Vitamin E for ailing and Healthy Hearts", "Vitamin E: Your Key to a Healthy Heart",and "Vitamin E: Key to Sexual Satisfaction". Old reports about vitamin e,such as these,were taken from Old Consumer Union publications and various other sources. It does not reflect any personal studies done by me or my knowledge of the subject. I bring it to you as documented. This site deals mostly with old documentation. For that reason,consider the fact that updated research may prove these results obsolete. |
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