[kelly (OP)]

I heard a recent report that vitamin E can cause heart problems.  Up to this time we have been taking it to prevent heart problems.  The report said that a person talking 400 IU's of vitamin E a day was 20 times more likely to have a heart attack that a person taking a daily 200 IU dose.  I have been reluctant to take vitamin E since then.  I like to take it for leg cramps, etc.  I thought it was an antioxidant.  I heard that doctors were saying don't take vitamin E, get it in food only.  What have you all heard?

[chris]

Hi, welcome to the forum.

Have a read of this thread :

http://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1282

in which the issue of 'supplements' and why the only people they are good for (generally) are the people who sell them to you !

Chris

"I never forget a face, but in your case I'll make an exception"
 - Groucho Marx

[qazibasit]

well as far as i know vit E is an antioxidant due to the -OH present on 6th carbon atom  of chromane ring is the most important group for its antioxidant activity. Vit E prevents the peroxidative changes in membranes of mitochondria and helps in maintaining the smooth translocation of phosphate ions into mitochondria. Thus the oxidative phosphorylation is enhanced .In addition the oxidation of sulfhyldryl enzymes is also prevented by tocopherols.