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Ask any question. We may both have to wait for future developments to come up with the answer. We may have to settle for the current consensus of opinions or the best guess. Viewers may e-mail additional comments or corrections. I shall post questions as well. Questions, answers and comments POB 12096 Casa Grande, AZ 85230 USA Fax: 520-876-9112 Quote: "Each logical conclusion about the nature of a problem is a possible clue towards a solution." dr G 2002 other site: http://www.zcgvaz.com |
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Q: How does Vit E lessen the improvement in eyesight effected by Vit A? My theory is that being a powerful antioxidant, it limits some chemical reactions that Vit A and/or rhodopsin are involved in. What is yours?
A. Antioxidants interfere with each other's absorption when taken at the same time. That may not be the complete answer. There is LDL cholesterol in the retinal pigment epithelium. If Vit E prevents the oxidation of LDL and other vision related oxidation processes there then it will interfere with the LDL's and other oxidants' action in the eye.
Q: Does the form of Vit E make a difference?
A: Yes. The Vitamin E we have known for years was mostly alpha tocopherol. The active form of Vitamin E is gamma tocopherol. As of now, it is not available commercially by itself. It is included in preparations called mixed tocopherols. When the traditionally known Vitamin E (alpha tocopherol) is increased above 400 IU, gamma tocopherol's activity is inhibited. No wonder the good effects of Vitamin A are "negated". My color perception has improved a little since I switched to mixed tocopherols which include gamma tocopherols. dr G
Q: What do you do when you need more than 400 IU/day for other medical conditions?
A: An expert suggested the use of green tea (4 -6 cups/day) to help with with antioxidant protection of other parts and systems of the body to make up for the reduction of Vitamin E dose to a maximum of 400 IU/day. dr G
Q: Do you personally stick to the dose of 400 IU/day Vit E?
A: Uhmmmm!!! Yes and no. When I was much younger and could afford a slight and slow decrease in eyesight and thought that preventing stroke, heart attack, Alsheimer's Disease, Fibrocystic Disease of the Breasts, other female problems, and WRINKLES were more important, I took 1000 IU/day of the traditional Vitamin E. The situation has reversed since then. I now take 1000 IU of mixed tocopherols three times a week averaging close to 400 IU a day. Four times a week, I have one less pill to swallow and depend on my body's storage of Vitamin E and avoid an "overdose" of the drug. I have three days a week to finish my current supply which I refuse to throw away and also get the recommended dose for the other health problems I need them for. Click on the "Journey" button below. dr G
Addendum (2005): A recent study reported an increase in all cause deaths with high dose Vit E. However, the form used was Alpha tocopherol. A close relative of mine developed a severe case of floaters interfering with vision and her professin. I had surgical removal of my floaters in 2005 because they were almost confluent. I now recently increased my MIXED tocopherols intake to DAILY. I am now retired and at this point I worry more about degeneration of other tissues in the eye vs. reduction of ERG's (electrical activity waves produced by the retinal cells).
Q: How involved are we in stem cell research? A. More than I thought. Click on "S.O.S." dr G
***GOOD
NEWS!!!
Q: Have we proven anything with the CNTF study? A: The Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor study is now in the Phase 2 A stage. Phase 1 showed safe results from implantation of the delivery device. Phase 2A and B will determine effectiveness of the treatment and give more information about dose and length of effectiveness. Hang on!!! dr G
Started 15 August 2002
Last Updated 22 June 2005
