Atheromas vitamin

Alpha-tocopherol acetate (vitamin E) has no effect on lipid levels but is a powerful antioxidant. Considerable evidence points to oxidation of LDL as an essential step in the development of atheroma, and therefore interest has centred on the role of either endogenous or therapeutic vitamin E in prevention of atheroma. Reduced concentrations of vitamin E in both blood and fat (vitamin E is a fat soluble vitamin) are found in inhabitants of countries with a high prevalence of ischaemic heart disease, and (within these countries) in patients who develop ischaemic heart disease. A high dose reduced by half the risk of myocardial infarction in 2000 patients with angina and positive coronary angiogram. However most other studies have failed to confirm this finding and there is no indication at present for routine prescribing of a-tocopherol in the treatment or prevention of atherosclerosis. 

Existing data on the effects of B vitamins on atheroma progression are conflicting. Folic acid, Bg and B12 administration in middle-aged individuals... 

One explanation is that majority of omega-6 PUFA from com oil is used for energy, and is not used to produce thrombi and atheromas, whieh are required for cardiovascular disease development. Moreover, high levels of vitamin E (majorly y-tocopherol) (Elmadfa and Park, 1999) and plant sterols (0.77% by weight) (Ostlimd, et al., 2002) may counter the bad effects of omega-6 PUFA of com oil. For example, y-toeopherol, the major form of vitamin E in the eom oil, and its metabolite have more anti-inflammatory properties than a-tocopherol, the predominant form of vitamin E in the tissues and most supplements (Jiang and Ames, 2003). 

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