DESCRIPTION E-400 Dry Caps (Natural), provided by Douglas
Laboratories®, contain a vitamin E formula of natural
d-alpha tocopheryl succinate which assures superior
antioxidant protection.
FUNCTIONS Vitamin E is one of the body’s most important
antioxidant nutrients. Antioxidants protect healthy
cells from oxidative and free radical damage. Free
radicals are unstable chemicals formed in the body
during metabolism and from exposure to
environmental sources, such as air pollution and
cigarette smoke. Free radicals are necessary for
energy metabolism and immune function, but when
an excessive number of free radicals are formed, they
can attack healthy cells, especially their membrane
lipids, proteins, and nucleic acid. This, in turn, is
thought to degrade the structure and function of
healthy cellular components.
Vitamin E is an especially valuable antioxidant in the
cell membranes, where it prevents oxidation of
unsaturated fatty acids by trapping free radicals. This
helps stabilize and protect cell membranes, especially
red blood cells and tissues sensitive to oxidation,
such as the lungs, eyes, and arteries. Vitamin E also
protects the liver and other tissues from the freeradical
damage of toxicants, such as mercury, lead,
ozone, nitrous oxide, carbon tetrachloride, benzene,
cresol, and various drugs. Related to its antioxidant
properties, vitamin E is important for normal immune
function, and many studies show that it prevents lipid
peroxidation of blood lipoproteins, such as LDLcholesterol.
Vitamin E is the collective term for those eight
compounds that have varying levels of vitamin E
biological activity. These eight fat soluble
compounds include the alpha, beta, gamma, and delta
forms of tocopherol and tocotrienol. The most
biologically active of this group is alpha tocopherol.
Eight structural isomers of alpha tocopherol are
possible, but only the d-alpha tocopherol (RRR-alpha
tocopherol) occurs in nature. The other seven isomers
have less nutritional activity, and are present only in
synthetic vitamin E (dl-alpha tocopherol). Douglas
Laboratories’ E-400 Dry Caps (Natural) contains
only the succinate esterified form of the natural dalpha
tocopherol isomer of vitamin E.
Intestinal absorption of vitamin E is associated with
fat absorption. Some dietary fat must be present for
efficient vitamin E absorption to occur. Studies show
that natural d-alpha tocopherol is more efficiently
absorbed and has significantly higher bioavailability
than synthetic dl-alpha tocopherol. Once absorbed,
vitamin E is transported into the circulatory system
via chylomicrons, and then transferred to VLDL,
LDL and HDL particles. Tissues slowly accumulate
vitamin E from these plasma lipoproteins. Liver and
adipose tissues have the highest concentrations, but
muscle also accounts for a large proportion of
vitamin E stores in the body.
INDICATIONS E-400 Dry Caps (Natural) may be a useful dietary
supplement for those who wish to increase their daily
intake of vitamin E in its potent, natural form.
FORMULA (#80400) Serving Size 1 Capsule - Servings per Container 90
Each Capsule Contains:
Vitamin E, Natural ........................... 400 I.U.
(d-alpha Tocopheryl Succinate)
SUGGESTED USE Adults take 1 capsule daily or as directed by
physician.
SIDE EFFECTS No adverse effects have been reported.
