Vitamin E-400 (Natural d-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate, 400 IU)

Vitamin E is not one compound but eight, four tocopherols and four tocotrienols. Of these, d-alpha tocopherol is the form the liver selectively retains and loads into circulating lipoproteins, which is why it is the reference form for vitamin E activity. The name comes from the Greek for childbearing, tokos pherein, after the reproductive failure seen in the rats in which the vitamin was discovered in 1922.

Its function is chain-breaking. Vitamin E is the principal fat-soluble antioxidant of the cell membrane, where it intercepts lipid peroxyl radicals and stops the self-propagating chain reaction that would otherwise oxidize the polyunsaturated fatty acids in the membrane one after another. Nothing else in the body does this job in the lipid phase. It supports the body's normal defense against oxidative stress and helps maintain healthy cell membranes.

The distinction between natural and synthetic is worth stating plainly. Synthetic dl-alpha tocopherol is a mixture of eight stereoisomers, only one of which the body's transfer protein recognizes well. This product uses 100% natural d-alpha tocopheryl acetate, the single natural isomer, esterified as the acetate for stability. Each softgel supplies 268 mg, or 400 IU.

100 softgels.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.