Vitamin E Reconsidered
Authors: HARVEY J. DWORKEN
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1983)

Editorials1 February 1983Vitamin E ReconsideredHARVEY J. DWORKEN, M.D.HARVEY J. DWORKEN, M.D.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-98-2-253_2 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptAfter nearly 60 years of doubt, claims, and derision, the true role of Vitamin E (D-alpha tocopherol) in animal and human nutrition is finally being defined. The existence of this fat-soluble substance was first suspected by Evans and Bishop (1) who saw that female rats had normal early stages of pregnancy when deprived of vegetable oils, but later uniformly aborted. Vitamins A and D did not prevent this aberration, but actually appeared to worsen it, whereas the addition of wheat germ oil to the diet completely prevented abortion. Sure (2) confirmed these studies and called the wheat germ factor vitamin...References1. EVANSBISHOP HK. On the existence of a hitherto unrecognized dietary factor essential for reproduction. Science. 1922;56:650-1. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar2. SURE B. Dietary requirements for reproduction: II. The existence of a specific vitamin for reproduction. J Biol Chem. 1924;58:693-709. CrossrefGoogle Scholar3. SCOTT M. Advances in our understanding of vitamin E. Fed Proc. 1980;39:2736-9. MedlineGoogle Scholar4. CHIZZOLINIBRACCHICABASSIMAGGI RPEE. Effect of vitamin E deficiency on rabbit intramuscular collagen. Am J Clin Nutr. 1982;35:1018-22. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. SCHWARZ K. A hitherto unrecognized factor against dietary necrotic liver degeneration in American yeast (factor 3). Proc Soc Exp Biol Med. 1951;78:852-6. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar6. SCHWARZFOLTZ KC. Selenium as an integral part of factor 3 against dietary necrotic liver degeneration [Letter]. J Am Chem Soc. 1957;79:3292-3. CrossrefGoogle Scholar7. DOUGHERTYHOEKSTRA JW. Effects of vitamin E and selenium on copper-induced lipid peroxidation in vivo and on acute copper toxicity. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med. 1982;169:201-8. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar8. ROSENBLUMKEATINGPRENSKYNELSON JJAJ. A progressive neurologic syndrome in children with chronic liver disease. N Engl J Med. 1981;304:503-8. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar9. HARDINGMULLERTHOMASWILLISON ADPH. Spinocerebellar degeneration secondary to chronic intestinal malabsorption: a vitamin E deficiency syndrome. Ann Neurol. 1982;12:419-24. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar10. ROBERTS H. Perspective on vitamin E as therapy. JAMA. 1981;246:129-31. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: Case Western Reserve University University Hospitals Cleveland, Ohio PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited byDrug Knowledge (Prescription, over-the-Counter, Social): Young Adult Consumers at Risk?Effects of Specific Nutrients on the Immune Response: Selected Clinical Applications 1 February 1983Volume 98, Issue 2Page: 253-254KeywordsDietNutritionOilsPregnancyVitamin AVitamin E Issue Published: 1 February 1983 PDF downloadLoading ...