Join Here   |   Log In

Vitamin E, Genetics, and Inflammation

Vitamin E is an antioxidant often promoted as a supplement that prevents cardiovascular disease and the oxidation of LDL cholesterol. It is an essential nutrient found in various foods, including wheat germ, almonds, hazelnuts, sunflower seeds, and peanut butter.

Vitamin E as a supplement

The RDA for adults is 15 mg/day (22.4 IU/day), and the tolerable upper limit is 1,00 mg (1,500 IU). This vitamin has several drug interaction warnings, including antidepressants and blood thinners. Check on drug interactions if you are taking a medication daily.

There are two forms of Vitamin E: tocopherol and tocotrienol. Those forms are subdivided into alpha-, beta-, gamma-, and delta-. Alpha-tocopherol is the only one that is known to be necessary for people. It is the most common form to find in supplements and enriched foods.

Heart Disease and Vitamin E:

A headline-grabbing study in 1993 of 90,000 nurses found that those who supplemented with Vitamin E had fewer incidences of cardiovascular disease. Since then, large clinical trials haven’t upheld the idea that Vitamin E prevents cardiovascular disease.

In fact, two studies, HOPE and HOPE TOO, actually found that in a randomized controlled trial of over 10,000 people, supplementing with Vitamin E did not lower the risk of heart disease. There was actually a slight increase in mortality due to heart problems in those who supplemented with Vitamin E vs. placebo.

One possible reason for the inconclusive studies is genetic variations. A more recent study showed that indeed there is a genetic component to whether a person benefits from supplementing with Vitamin E.


Vitamin E Genotype Report

Members: Log in to see your data below.
Not a member? Join here.
Why is this section is now only for members? Here’s why…

Member Content:

  Log In


Why join Genetic Lifehacks?

~ Membership supports Genetic Lifehack's goal of explaining the latest health and genetics research.
~ It gives you access to the full article, including the Genotype and Lifehacks sections.
~ You'll see your genetic data in the articles and reports.

Join Here

Conclusion:

In summary, for some people, vitamin E supplementation may be beneficial, but for others, there may be no benefit or even possible detrimental effects. One-size fits all recommendations don’t work here.


Related Articles and Genes:

Inflammation: Causes and Natural Solutions
Take a deep dive into the causes of chronic inflammation and learn how to target specific inflammatory pathways to reverse or prevent chronic disease.

Your Genes and Coronary Artery Disease
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is heritable. Understanding your genes and a ‘heart healthy’ lifestyle can prevent heart attacks and death.

Will taking vitamin E increase your risk of cancer?
Vitamin E is an antioxidant often recommended as a supplement to prevent everything from heart disease to skin aging. But does everyone actually benefit from vitamin E supplements?

Will Aspirin Prevent Heart Disease?
While large population studies show the benefits of aspirin, research shows that these heart-health benefits are dependent on your genes. Find out more and check your genetic raw data.

 

References:

Lonn, Eva, et al. “Effects of Long-Term Vitamin E Supplementation on Cardiovascular Events and Cancer: A Randomized Controlled Trial.” JAMA, vol. 293, no. 11, Mar. 2005, pp. 1338–47. PubMed, https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.293.11.1338.

https://academic.oup.com/HTTPHandlers/Sigma/LoginHandler.ashx?error=login_required&state=fd3e01f8-b94d-4dae-931c-a4128c6e74c8redirecturl%3Dhttpszazjzjacademiczwoupzwcomzjajcnzjarticlezj95zj6zj1461zj4568396. Accessed 6 Apr. 2022.

 


About the Author:
Debbie Moon is the founder of Genetic Lifehacks. Fascinated by the connections between genes, diet, and health, her goal is to help you understand how to apply genetics to your diet and lifestyle decisions. Debbie has a BS in engineering from Colorado School of Mines and an MSc in biological sciences from Clemson University. Debbie combines an engineering mindset with a biological systems approach to help you understand how genetic differences impact your optimal health.