title: Advances in our understanding of vitamin E.
abstract: Vitamin E is an essential nutrient for animals and man since it is not synthesized in the body. The level of vitamin E in the lipoproteins of plasma and in the phospholipids of vital mitochondria, microsomes, and plasma membranes in humans depends (as in experimental animals) on the amount of biologically active vitamin E being consumed, the levels of dietary prooxidants and antioxidants, and the adequacy of dietary selenium. Studies with chicks have demonstrated an important mode of action of both vitamin E and selenium in metabolism, and provide a solution to the long-term enigma of the true role of vitamin E in the diet of all animals, including man. The biochemical actions of vitamin E and selenium are concerned with prevention of peroxidative damage to cells and subcellular elements, thereby aiding the body in maintaining its normal defense mechanisms against disease and environmental insult.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000097:blood; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000378:metabolism; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000032:analysis; D012643:Selenium / Q000378:metabolism; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014811:Vitamin E Deficiency / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D008074:Lipoproteins; D010743:Phospholipids; D014810:Vitamin E; D012643:Selenium