E-volunteers wanted!
Nutritionists at the University of Surrey are appealing for volunteers to help with research into the health benefits of taking vitamin E which is found naturally in vegetable oils and fats, nuts, dark green leafy vegetables and cereals. Previous research has shown that vitamin E is beneficial in the prevention and treatment of heart disease because it is a highly effective antioxidant, i.e. it mops up the unstable products of normal aerobic metabolism that can cause damage to the body's cell membranes.
Dr John Lodge from the University of Surrey's Centre for Nutrition and Food Safety, states "We want to find out what happens to vitamin E in the body and how this is linked to levels of blood fats and fat transport, as little is known about this at present."
Male and female volunteers, who are non-smokers aged between 30 and 55 year olds, are required. The volunteers must not have taken vitamin supplements for the last 6 months, must be free of medication (including oral contraceptives), and should have no personal history of heart disease.
The study will look at vitamin E levels in the blood, as well as the breakdown products of vitamin E in the urine. It would involve consuming a known amount of vitamin E and providing some blood and urine samples.
Author: Doug Murphy - Date: December 10, 2003
