Nutri-E 400 180 Gels

Vitamin E is the collective term for four fat-soluble,rnnatural compounds with similar chemical structure;rnalpha-, beta-, gamma-, and delta-tocopherol. Ofrnthese, alpha-tocopherol has the highest nutritionalrnactivity. Eight structural isomers of alpha-tocopherolrnare possible, but only the d-alpha-tocopherol (RRRalpha-rntocopherol) occurs in nature. The other sevenrnisomers have less nutritional activity, and are presentrnonly in synthetic vitamin E (dl-alpha-tocopherol)rnDouglas Laboratories’ vitamin E softgels contain onlyrnnatural isomers of vitamin E, including d-alpha, dbeta,rnd-gamma, and d-delta tocopherols.rnVitamin E is one of the body’s most importantrnantioxidant nutrients. Antioxidants protect healthyrncells from oxidative and free radical damage. Freernradicals are unstable chemicals formed in the bodyrnduring metabolism and from exposure tornenvironmental sources, such as pollution and cigaretternsmoke. Free radicals are necessary for energyrnmetabolism and immune function, but when anrnexcessive number of free radicals are formed, theyrncan attack healthy cells, especially cell membranernlipids and proteins. This, in turn, is thought torncontribute to a number of degenerative diseases.rnVitamin E is an especially valuable antioxidant in therncell membranes, where it prevents oxidation ofrnunsaturated fatty acids by trapping free radicals. Thisrnhelps stabilize and protect cell membranes, especiallyrnred blood cells and tissues sensitive to oxidation, suchrnas the lungs, eyes, and arteries. Vitamin E alsornprotects the liver and other tissues from the freeradicalrndamage of toxicants, such as mercury, lead,rnozone, nitrous oxide, carbon tetrachloride, benzene,rncresol, and various drugs.rnRelated to its antioxidant properties, vitamin E isrnimportant for normal immune function, and manyrnstudies show that it prevents lipid peroxidation ofrnblood lipoproteins, such as LDL-cholesterol.rnIntestinal absorption of vitamin E is associated withrnfat absorption. Some dietary fat must be present forrnefficient vitamin E absorption to occur. Studies showrnthat natural d-alpha-tocopherol is more efficientlyrnabsorbed and has significantly higher bioavailabilityrnthan synthetic dl-alpha-tocopherol. Once absorbed,rnvitamin E is transported into the circulatory systemrnvia chylomicrons, and then transferred to VLDL,rnLDL and HDL particles. Tissues slowly accumulaternvitamin E from these plasma lipoproteins. Liver andrnadipose tissues have the highest concentrations, butrnmuscle also accounts for a large proportion of vitaminrnE stores in the body.