Vitamin E - Immune System Benefits

Introduction

This section outlines the essential functions of Vitamin E and its therapeutic applications for the Immune System.

Autoimmune Diseases

 Supplemental Vitamin E may improve the condition of many people afflicted with various Autoimmune Diseases:  ^[1]

 Vitamin E may prevent and treat Lupus Erythematosus:  ^[2]

            Vitamin E (900 - 1,600 IU per day) may alleviate Discoid Lupus Erythematosus.

            Vitamin E may be an effective treatment for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE).

Bacterial & Viral Diseases

 Supplemental Vitamin E may help to prevent many types of Bacterial & Viral Diseases (Infections):  ^[3]

 Vitamin E may retard the progression of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).  ^[4]

            Vitamin E may enhance the ability of Helper T-Cells to attack the HIV virus that causes AIDS.

            Vitamin E may inhibit the replication of the HIV virus.

            Vitamin E may retard the oxidative stress to the Immune System that occurs in AIDS patients (via the Antioxidant effects of Vitamin E).

            Vitamin E may help to prevent some of the toxic side effects (suppression of Bone Marrow cells) of Zidovudine and may enhance the ability of Zidovudine (AZT) to inhibit the replication of the HIV virus in AIDS patients.  ^[5]

            The optimal form of supplemental Vitamin E for AIDS patients may be d-Alpha-Tocopheryl Polyethylene Glycol 1000 Succinate (TPGS).  AIDS patients have an impairment in their ability to absorb fat-soluble compounds such as Vitamin E.  TPGS overcomes this problem as it is water-soluble.

 Vitamin E may help to prevent the Common Cold.  ^[6]

 Vitamin E (oil applied topically for at least 15 minutes) may alleviate the Pain associated with Herpes Simplex Virus lesions (both Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 and Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2).  ^[7]

 Vitamin E may accelerate the recovery from Influenza (especially in elderly people).  ^[8]

 Women infected with persistent Papilloma Viruses may have Vitamin E levels that are (on average) 24% lower than non-infected women.  ^[9]

 Vitamin E may help to prevent (upper) Respiratory Tract Infections.  ^[10]

 Vitamin E may retard the oxidative stress to the Immune Sytem that occurs during (chronic) Viral Hepatitis.  ^[11]

 Vitamin E may reduce the Pain (postherpetic Neuralgia) associated with Shingles.  ^[12]

Fungi

 Persons with Candida albicans over-proliferation should increase their intake of Vitamin E as Candida albicans may be an enemy of Vitamin E.

Immune System Cells and Mechanisms

 Vitamin E may enhance the ability of Selenium to stimulate B-Lymphocytes to produce more Antibodies:  ^[13]

 Some studies have shown that Selenium increases Antibody response by up to 3,000% when it is supplemented in conjunction with Vitamin E.