Metagenomic data evolves vitamin E science

Information about the human genome is providing new insights into the way vitamin E – a nutrient that has very much ridden the scientific roller coaster in recent years in the face of questioning meta reviews – functions in the body.

At the recent DSM Science and Technology Awards, DSM Nutritional Products corporate scientist Dr Peter Weber told Shane Starling why multidisciplinary methods were revealing new functionalities for the multi-form vitamin known best for its antioxidant properties.

“The genetic profile actually makes the difference regarding the effect of vitamin E in cardiovascular diseases,” Dr Weber said. “They actually showed in quite a large number of people … that if you do provide 400IU in vitamin E that the cardiovascular events were much lower in the people that carry what is called a genetic polymorphism.”

He added policy makers needed to be educated about intake deficiencies.