It is commonly believed that Vitamin E plays an important role in treating and preventing cardiovascular disease. Vitamin E is a fat soluble vitamin present in many foods and even stored in fat-tissues of the body.
The benefits of vitamin E for the heart most likely lies with the antioxidant effects, preventing the formation of free radicals. The free radicals contribute to artherosclerosis by increasing plaque build up in the heart vessels. Vitamin E also decreases platelet aggregation, thus decreasing plaque size. It is also believed that vitamin E helps to decrease total cholesterol and LDL levels (the bad cholesterol) and therefore, helping the heart.
When looking at the various studies available on vitamin E, we see that this vitamin does not have the claimed benefits for cardiovascular disease. Two well done and large studies showed that taking vitamin E did not decrease heart disease or cardiovascular events including myocardial infarction, stroke, or death. One of these studies was the famous HOPE study where taking natural Vitamin E 400 IU for about 4.5 years showed no additive benefits.
