Although vitamin E has been largely touted to protect the body against cancer there is a form of vitamin E which has recently been shown to increase cancer risk.

Vitamin E comes in three main forms - gamma-tocopherols, delta-tocopherols and alpha-tocopherol. It is the alpha-tocopherol form which is causing concern, increasing cancer risk according to researchers from the Center for Cancer Prevention Research at Rutgers Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy.

Researchers into the effects of vitamin E were confused by the significantly varying results they were getting back from their testing. It was later realised that the three different forms of vitamin E produced different results.

The ‘good’ forms of vitamin E – gamma-tocopherols and delta-tocopherols - are found in food and oils and have been shown to have a preventative effect,even slowing down tumour growth for those already affected according to the Rutgers research.

Alpha-tocopherol, on the other hand, seems to have no preventative effect and can even increase cancer risk - especially to the threat of prostate cancer in healthy men.

The alpha-tocopherol form of vitamin e is often used in health supplements, though NOT at Troo Health Care we are pleased to report. If you do supplement with vitamin E obviously it is important to find out what form of vitamin E is in the supplement you use.