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Written By: Editorial Team | Published : May 21, 2014 1:33 PM IST
Researchers have found a link between Vitamin E in canola and other oils to the rising incidence of lung inflammation and, possibly, asthma. The new study shows drastically different health effects of vitamin E depending on its form. The form of Vitamin E called gamma-tocopherol in the ubiquitous soybean, corn and canola oils is associated with decreased lung function in humans, the study reports. The other form of Vitamin E, alpha-tocopherol, which is found in olive and sunflower oils, does the opposite. It associated with better lung function. This is the first study to show gamma-tocopherol is associated with worse lung function.
The study examined 4,526 individuals from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults Study (CARDIA). Cook-Mills had done previous allergy research in mice showing alpha-tocopherol decreased lung inflammation, protecting healthy lung function and gamma-tocopherol increased lung inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness, a characteristic of asthma. She hypothesized that they might have similar effects in humans. (Read: Beware vitamin E supplements could cause prostate cancer)
Cook-Mills examined the CARDIA results for individuals' lung function tests at four intervals from baseline to 20 years and the type of tocopherol levels in their blood plasma at three intervals from baseline to 15 years. She found that a high level of gamma-tocoperol, 10 micromolar in the blood plasma, was associated with a 10 to 17 percent reduction in lung function. Micromolar is a measure of the amount of gamma-tocopherol per liter volume of blood plasma. 'The blood plasma showed how much they had acquired in their tissues,' Cook-Mills said. 'You get vitamin E from your diet or supplements.' The study has been published in the journal Respiratory Research. (Read:Scientists develop a breathalyser to detect lung cancer)
Do vitamins actually prevent heart disease and cancer?
Vitamin E and beta-carotene supplements do not help prevent heart disease and cancer, the two most fatal diseases in America, a US task force has warned. In fact, beta-carotene supplements may be harmful because it ups the risk of lung cancer in people who are already at increased risk for the disease, the task force said. The US Preventive Services Task Force posted its final recommendations on vitamin, mineral, and multivitamin supplements for the prevention of cardiovascular disease and cancer. (Read more on vitamins)
With inputs from ANI
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