July/August 2004
HEALTH BYTES

Mixed tocopherols inhibit blood clotting

      While recent studies have failed to show any benefit of vitamin E (alpha tocopherol) on heart health, a newer study found that mixed tocopherols (alpha, beta, gamma and delta) were able to help inhibit blood platelets from clumping and causing blood clotting. In the study, 46 volunteers were randomly divided into three groups: One group received alpha tocopherol, the second group received mixed tocopherols and a control group received no treatment. Researchers found that platelet aggregation decreased significantly in the mixed tocopherol group but not in the alpha tocopherol and control groups, and that other markers of cardiovascular events were lowered in the mixed tocopherol group.

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