Heart disease kills more people in the United States than any other disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Approximately every 25 seconds, another American dies of a heart attack. The quest for solutions to this epidemic of cardiovascular disorders often centers on nutritional approaches to both preventing and managing the disease. D-alpha-tocopherol, a form of vitamin E, is one of the nutrients that are sometimes suggested to have heart-healthy benefits.
What is D-Alpha Tocopherol?
Vitamin E comes in eight different forms, four of which are called tocopherols. The type of vitamin E most commonly consumed in the American diet is gamma-tocopherol, but the type that is found most abundantly in the human body is alpha-tocopherol. Alpha-tocopherol is considered the most nutritionally significant form of vitamin E, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. Alpha-tocopherol can further be divided into two categories depending on whether it is derived from natural or synthetic sources. D-alpha-tocopherol is natural vitamin E, and is the more bioactive form. Dl-alpha-tocopherol is synthetic vitamin E.
Effects on Heart Disease
Research on the effects of vitamin E on heart disease is often contradictory and inconclusive. The Linus Pauling Institute states that at least five studies have found that vitamin E decreases the risk of heart attack and death from heart disease, but according to the Office of Dietary Supplements, the most stringently conducted research has not found any benefit from vitamin E in preventing heart or managing heart disease, and the nutrient does not appear to decrease the risk of death from heart disease either. It is not known whether younger people derive any heart protective benefits from vitamin E.
Sources
Many foods common in the American diet contain vitamin E, and many others are fortified with this nutrient. A number of cooking oils, such as olive, soybean, corn, canola, safflower and sunflower, contain varying amounts of d-alpha-tocopherol. Green vegetables such as spinach also provide d-alpha-tocopherol. Almonds, peanuts and hazelnuts are all good sources as well.
Considerations
If you are obtaining d-alpha-tocopherol through dietary sources, there is little to no risk of toxicity, but if you are consuming vitamin E supplements, you need to abide by established dosage recommendations to avoid side effects such as hemorrhaging and drug interactions, which can occur when high dosages are taken. The recommended daily allowance of d-alpha-tocopherol for adults is 15 mg, and the tolerable upper intake limit is 1,000 mg daily.
