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DALLAS, TEXAS. The first step in the development of atherosclerosis is believed
to involve oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Vitamin E is known to
slow down this oxidation process significantly. Research has shown that a
minimum intake of 400 IU/day of synthetic vitamin-E (equivalent to 130 IU/day of
natural vitamin E) is required to produce a significant effect. Now researchers
at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center report that a daily
intake of 1200 IU of synthetic vitamin E is 2 to 3 times more effective in
decreasing the oxidative susceptibility of LDL than is a daily dose of only 400
IU. They also point out that vitamin E at dosages of 1200 IU/day have
significant antiatherogenic effects on monocytes and/or macrophages, important
cells in atherosclerosis development. NOTE: This study was supported in part by
Hoffman-LaRoche, the major manufacturer of synthetic vitamin E. Editor's
Note: Vitamin E derived from natural sources is three times as effective as
synthetic vitamin E, thus 400 IU/day of natural vitamin E is equivalent to 1200
IU/day of the synthetic version.
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