Vitamin E Healthy Heart

If you are a smoker who has quit, preferably accompanied by supplements of vitamin E. This vitamin is known to reduce the risk of heart and blood vessel disease.

In a preliminary study presented at the Experimental Biology meeting mentioned, smokers who had stopped taking vitamin E and the risk of cardiovascular disease 19 percent lower than those who continued to smoke.

The smokers in the study were asked not to smoke for 7 days. Then a marker for inflammation and symptoms of vascular function was measured before and after the study.

After quitting smoking for 7 days, is known about the function of blood vessels increased 2.8 percent. Those who took vitamin E supplements showed an increase to 1.5 percent again.

Although this increase seems small value, the researchers suggest that previous studies indicated that a one percent increase in vascular function can be interpreted as a reduced risk of heart disease by 13 percent.

Types of vitamin E were investigated in the study is gamma-tocopherol, which is quite rare species. Gamma-tocopherol found in soybean and canola oils, as well as the type of pistachio nuts and cashews.


Even so the research is still in its very early stages. So it is better to consult a doctor before taking supplements.

"Vitamin E is known as blood thinners and antioxidants. Study was its small so if you want to eat better choose gamma-tocopherol from natural sources rather than supplements," said Steven Zodky, a nutritionist from the American Board of Clinical Nutritionist.

He added that, in addition to vitamin E intake, quitting smoking itself is a very good way to reduce the risk of heart disease.

"When smoking, blood vessels will constrict. Indeed there is an amino acid called I-arginine can reduce wrinkles. But still not as good if you stop smoking," he said.


Source: Everyday Health & kompas.com