Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a fat soluble vitamin that has been described as the prototypical antioxidant in the human body.  Adequate dietary intakes of vitamin E (alpha tocopherol) and essential polyunsaturated fatty acids are important to maintain cell membrane integrity.  Since the body cannot manufacture its own Vitamin E, it must be provided by food and nutritional supplements, yet 97% of Americans do not obtain adequate amounts of Vitamin E from their diets.   Vitamin E deficiencies have been associated with smoking related cardiovascular disease.  Further, inadequate levels of vitamin C can cause faster and more severe depletion of vitamin E.

The Research
Higher blood levels of alpha-tocopherol, the predominant form of vitamin E, was associated with a 19% reduction in lung cancer incidence, especially in younger persons and those with less cumulative smoke exposure. These findings suggest that high levels of alpha-tocopherol, if present during the early critical stages of tumorigenesis, may inhibit lung cancer development. National Cancer Institute, Maryland.

Alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) protects the heart from cigarette smoke-induced peroxidative damage and protects against the formation of plaque in the arteries. Punjab University, India.

Antioxidant vitamin supplementation (500 mg vitamin C and 400 IU vitamin E) resulted in over 30% reduction in cancer risk in women, suggesting that antioxidant supplementation may mitigate the carcinogenic effects of cigarette smoke. Columbia University School of Public Health.

Children of smoking parents seem to be under sustained oxidant stress as compared with children of nonsmoking parents; differences in oxidative stress were ameliorated by supplementation with vitamin E. Medical School in Katowice, Poland.

Adequate dietary intakes of vitamin E and essential polyunsaturated fatty acids are important to maintain cell membrane integrity, and deficiencies have been associated with smoking related cardiovascular disease. Sufficient vitamin E is required to prevent peroxidation of membrane lipids by free radicals, protecting cell membranes from oxidative damage.  The requirement for vitamin E appears to be greater in smokers than in non-smokers. Rowett Research Institute, Aberdeen, Scotland.

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