Vitamin E: your key to vibrant health: learn why this somewhat controversial vitamin is essential for heart health and more.(SUPPLEMENTS: SHOP SMART)

THE BASICS: Vitamin E, an essential nutrient, is the body's principal fat-soluble antioxidant. That means it fights dangerous free radicals in the fatty membranes of cells, as well as in cholesterol. Although the use of vitamin E has become controversial over the past several years, the research justifying supplements remains strong.

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ALIAS: Vitamin E generally refers to the alpha-tocopherol form; however, it actually consists of eight related molecules: four tocopherols and four tocotrienols. Although alpha-tocopherol is the most biologically active form of vitamin E, the other forms also have antioxidant benefits. In addition, the natural d-alpha-tocopherol form is absorbed and utilized twice as well as the synthetic dl-alpha-tocopherol form. The L-form is not utilized by the body.

HOW VITAMIN E WORKS: Vitamin E benefits health through several mechanisms. First, it is an antioxidant. Second, it has anti-inflammatory properties important because coronary heart disease is now considered an inflammatory disease of the arteries. Third, it has mild anticoagulant (blood-thinning) properties, so it can reduce the risk of blood clots.

HEALTH BENEFITS: Vitamin E supplements are helpful in the following diseases.

Cardiovascular disease. Vitamin E has gone in and out of favor as a way of preventing cardiovascular diseases. In a 10-year study, researchers reported in the journal Circulation that vitamin E supplements reduced the overall risk of life-threatening blood clots by one-fifth. In women with a history of blood clots, supplements reduced the risk of new clots by almost half. Perhaps the most significant study found that vitamin E lowered the overall risk of fatal and nonfatal heart attacks by about half.

Alzheimer's disease. Several studies have found that vitamin E can reduce the risk of age-related dementia and slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease. A study at Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center in Chicago, found that people consuming the most vitamin E, from either foods or supplements, were 36 percent more likely to maintain normal cognitive function. The researchers reported that people getting a lot of vitamin E maintained the mental function of someone eight to nine years younger.