Vitamin E prevents the oxidization of cholesterol and it is oxidized cholesterol that clogs up arteries. Vitamin E also prevents the immune decline seen in the aged . In one study, healthy people given 200 IU of Vitamin E daily produced six times more antibodies to vaccination with hepatitis B than those who took the placebo. Immune system improvement occurred in other areas also. Most multivitamins contain d-Alpha tocopherol or d,l Alpha tocopherol.
Studies show that Alpha tocopherol is only part of the story.
A full range of antioxidant protection can only be achieved by using other tocopherols as well. In fact, recent studies show that it can be dangerous to take large amounts of Alpha tocopherol without the other fractions in much the same way as it is dangerous to take large amounts of Beta carotene without other carotenoids. Different fractions work together. Alpha tocopherol can displace Gamma tocopherol in tissues. While Alpha tocopherol inhibits the production of free radicals to some degree, it is Gamma Tocopherol that is required to trap and neutralize existing free radicals.