Antioxidant vitamin therapy alters sepsis-related apoptotic myocardial activity and inflammatory responses
I realize this is a mouse study (probably hard to find living humans willing to have their hearts homogenized…) but it has some pretty important implications for cardioprotection, especially given the irrational fear induced by several studies released indicating that Vit E may worsen cardiac risk. Keep in mind that, of the tocopherols, alpha is NOT the most cardioprotective, and that we realize that the gamma fraction is most likely the much stronger player in protecting the heart. Unfortunately, given high levels of alpha tocopherol (what is commercially known as “Vit E”) will lower serum levels of gamma.
So, if your cardiologist told you to stay away from Vit E, he/she was misinformed and probably just did you a great misservice by NOT explaining what likely happened in those studies showing an increase in CVD risk.
