Ask the Doc

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I recently received a sample of Callisto Vitamin E Creme. It wasn't clear in the literature if this product is to be used as a moisturizer or in addition to a moisturizer. Could you please advise?
The Callisto is formulated with liposomes in a hydrolipid base and enhances the skin's natural ability to retain moisture. For many people no additional moisturizer is needed. For very dry skin, however, Callisto can be used in addition to a moisturizer.

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Why are some of your ingredients listed as IU'S and others as milligrams?
This is a common question. When vitamin E was first discovered it was thought to be only one compound. Actually, its potency was initially measured by a rat fetal resorption study and was based on alpha-tocopherol acetate. However, since we know that this is not the best measure of vitamin E potency, it has not been applied to the other tocopherol and tocotrienols. They must be measured in milligrams. For your reference, 1 mg alpha-tocopherol = 1.49 IU alpha tocopherol.

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Does supplementary vitamin E raise blood pressure?
In multi-year major clinical studies, high levels (2,000 IU) of vitamin E (The Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study, DATATOP study) had no significant effect on blood pressure. We are aware, however, of anecdotal reports of increased blood pressure in some people with special sensitivities. It is possible that this sensitivity is limited to alpha-tocopherol. Gamma-tocopherol and its metabolite called gamma-CEHC, have mild natriuretic properties that help to control the amount of water in the body and play a significant role in blood pressure. In my opinion, the complete vitamin E of tocopherols plus tocotrienols not only does not increase blood pressure but it may help reduce it. Our vitamin E products and the Omega T are particularly rich in gamma tocopherol.

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Is the fish oil in Omega-T distilled (i.e. processed to remove mercury, PCB's, etc.)?
We share your concern about the safety of fish oils. After extensive search and consultation with Dr. Artemis Simopoulos, a expert in the field and author of the book The Omega Diet and Dr. Andrew Sinclair, another international expert from Australia, we selected the highest quality fish oil from an FDA approved facility. For additional safety, we selected their triglyceride product with the highest content of omega-3 (the most expensive one also). The production process includes the following steps: Deacidification, ethyl esterification, column distillation, molecular distillation, reesterification, second molecular distillation and second deacidification. These steps, especially the column and molecular distillation steps, are the most effective for removing the toxic components of concern. This manufacturer tests the materials before they are accepted in their plant and prior to release in the market. I have confidence in their analysis and their integrity as a company. Please note that the products characterized as pharmaceutical grade are the ethyl acetate ester form of the omega 3 fatty acids. The product we are using has been through the esterification process and were reesterified back to triglycerides which is the most bioavailable form. Our Omega T product contains high levels of natural tocopherols and tocotrienols, which help maintain freshness and stability in addition to having a synergistic effect.

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I am concerned about the use of "softgels" as opposed to a capsule or enteric coated capsule. Can you tell me why you deliver in gel form and what is in the gel?
The terms softgels and capsules are used interchangeably. Hard gel and soft gel capsules are most often from the same material, namely gelatin from animal or fish sources. The most common form used in nutritionals and pharmaceuticals is gelatin from cattle. The vast majority (over 90%) of all capsules on the nutritional and pharmaceutical products on the market are from gelatin. There are vegetable capsules on the market. Unfortunately the technology had problems, which are being addressed. For example, hard gel capsules always have a bubble of air when filled with liquids. This affects stability of natural compounds such as vitamin E and antioxidants. We will be switching to vegetable capsules as soon as practical.

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The effectiveness of Vitamin E may be increased by taking it with certain food. Do you have any comments on their study or recommendations for taking the vitamins with or before meals?
Vitamin E is a fat soluble vitamin and in order to be absorbed it must be first formulated in micelles. This requires the bile which is produced in the liver. The lipid material in our diet signals the liver to increase the secretion of bile. For this reason vitamin E is absorbed best when taken close to the main meal (before or after the meal but not between meals). This is important for all lipid nutrients and phytochemicals (vitamins A, D, E, K, carotenoids, CoQ10, omega 3 fatty acids) but not for water soluble nutrients such as vitamin C, B vitamins etc.)

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The doctor (forget his name) behind Unique E by A.C Grace suggested that the amount which should be calculated by body weight I think 40 lbs per each 400.i.u plus one ( I think it was) which he said should be taken at once, the filling the dam and a slight overfill philosophy. Does that make sense or should your product be spread out through the day? Perhaps the philosophy might be different due to the tocotrienols not in his product?
Mr. Roy Erickson, the owner of the A C Grace company (he passed away recently) was a self taught strong supporter of vitamin E. In my opinion, the dose of 400 IU plus one per 40 lbs of weight is very high and unnecessary except for specific conditions such as treating Alzheimer's. Vitamin E is best absorbed when taken close to the main meal of the day. If there is a need to take more than one softgel, then spreading throughout the day helps to maintain a more constant blood level, but I do not think this is critical. Vitamin E as a fat soluble vitamin stays in the body longer than water soluble vitamins such as vitamin C. As you indicated, I strongly believe that the tocotrienols contribute to obtaining the full benefit of vitamin E and this is reflected in the products of YASOO Health which I designed. The vitamin E Factor 400/400 (http://www.yasoohealth.com/vite-400.htm) meets the vitamin E needs while additional amounts or special forms (high in tocotrienols or gamma tocopherol) meet specific needs associated with a history of chronic disease.

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I've been taking the Vitamin E Factor 400/400 along with the Antioxidant Factor. You just sent some samples of the Omega-T product which looks interesting since I'm 46 with a history of heart disease in the family but I'm concerned about overlap in the ingredients. If I added Omega, would I drop one of the other supplements?
Omega T is a great product because it supplies high quality omega 3 fatty acids which help with cardiovascular health, inflammation and autoimmune conditions such as arthritis and neurological health. The National Institutes of Health are evaluating omega 3 for Alzheimer's and for mild depression. The FDA approved a conditional health claim for omega 3. Although Omega-T contains tocopherols (mostly gamma), tocotrienols and CoQ10, the amounts are well within the beneficial range. It has been known for some time that increased amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids (such as the omega 3) increase the requirement for vitamin E. In addition, the tocopherols and the tocotrienols help maintain the freshness of the omega 3. The bottom line: If you do not mind the cost, the Omega-T would be a great addition to your supplement program. In order of priority, the 400/400 is first, the Omega-T second and the Antioxidant third.

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What is the daily requirement for vitamin e?
The officially Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for Vitamin E is 30 IU. The emerging science on vitamin E indicates that: 1. The IU is not a good measure of our vitamin E needs because it measures only alpha-tocopherol, one of the eight members of the vitamin E family. The other members of the family, especially the gamma-tocopherol and the tocotrienols play a major role in nutrition and health. 2. The RDA reflects the minimum amount for preventing deficiency. Our needs for wellness and prevention of disease are much higher. 3. Depending on the age and family history some people may need specialized forms of vitamin E. For example, people at high risk for heart disease may take extra tocotrienols, while men at high risk of prostate cancer may take extra gamma-tocopherol. Many people over 40 take the vitamin E 400/400 as a great supplement. It supplies 400 IU of alpha-tocopherol plus 400 mg of the other tocopherols and tocotrienols.

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How and when is Callisto applied? Is it used as a moisturizer morning and evening? Alone, under makeup? Is it a light cream that won't clog pores?
Our Callisto cream contains the complete family of tocopherols plus tocotrienols in their unesterified form. It is formulated with liposomes in a hydrolipid base which enhances the skin's natural ability to retain moisture while neutralizing damaging free radicals. Although it has some sunscreen properties, Callisto is not designed for sunbathing. It is rather designed to slow skin aging, maintain its healthy appearance and to help reduce the risk of skin cancers. It may be applied in the evening or in the morning. If you are going to spend long hours in the sun you will need additional sunscreen protection. If make up is used then the cream should be applied first. The Callisto Cream may not be as light as some other creams because it contains a healthy amount of vitamin E which is an oil. Yet you will be surprised as to how light is feels. It will definitely not clog the skin pores. We have heard from a number of customers that saw a major difference in liver spots and other skin problems due to wounds, laser surgery, etc.

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What are the health risks involved when taking 3200 IU of vitamin E for a period of nine months? Are there symptoms of overdose?
I strongly recommend that if you choose to take 3200 IU of vitamin E for a period of nine months you do so under the supervision of your physician. Such doses have been used in clinical trials (please see the attached chapter from my book The Vitamin E Factor) and levels of 2,000 IU per day were used in clinical studies for periods of over a year. The potential risks of high dose: 1. Vitamin E has anticoagulant (blood thinning) properties. For people with blood problems and those taking blood thinning drugs such as coumadin the additive effect may cause problems. 2. High levels of vitamin E may interfere with the absorption and utilization of vitamin K and in some cases of vitamin A. 3. Some people, with special sensitivity, may experience headaches, increased blood pressure but the research in this area is very limited. The IU measures only alpha-tocopherol, one of the eight members of the vitamin E family. The other members of the family, especially the gamma-tocopherol and the tocotrienols play a major role in nutrition and health. I believe that you can get a higher benefit with a much smaller dose if you use a product that supplies the complete vitamin E family such as our Vitamin E Factor 400/400 http://www.yasoo.com/vite-400.htm

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Does your Callisto product get absorbed into the skin or does it just stay atop the skin. I ask because I have too many facial products and I can't put the creme on during the day; so I put it on at night hoping the Vitamin E gets absorbed and protects me the following day.
Callisto is formulated for immediate action on the surface AND fast penetration into the skin. This is accomplished by using the naturally occurring unesterified tocopherols and tocotrienols as they appear in nature. Callisto is formulated in a liposomal base, which accelerates the penetration into the skin. It is also formulated to provide both immediate and long term action. In contrast to Callisto, most vitamin E creams contain only alpha tocopherol in the esterified form. This means that the active group is blocked and cannot act as an antioxidant on the surface of the skin. In addition, the penetration of the esterified form and the breakdown of the ester to free the active group is very slow. By using only alpha tocopherol most creams do not provide the substantial benefits of gamma tocopherol and the tocotrienols.

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I have been taking 85 mg aspirin along with 800 IUs Vitamin E (alpha) daily for years. I want to switch to your Maxi-Gamma product. Would the contraindications mentioned in one of your bulletins regarding taking of Vit E and blood thinners apply differently between the 800 IUs Vit E (alpha ) product I've been taking and the Maxi Gamma. In short, would there be any greater concern upon switching to Maxi Gamma?
You are right; vitamin E has blood-thinning properties. Since you did not have any problems with 800 IU of alpha-tocopherol, the Maxi-Gamma would be at least as safe or, in my opinion, a better choice.

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I have read that gelatin capsules actually "breathe" and therefore the vitamin e inside loses its potency and can get rancid. Andrew Lessman states he and pharmaceutical company, Pfizer had developed a capsule that prevents the loss of potency and prevents rancidity. Have you any testing to show your vitamin e retains its potency and doesn't get rancid?
Vitamin E has been stable in gelatin capsules for over six years. This has been shown in many independent stability studies. What Mr. Lessman is talking about are the two piece hard gels made for years by CAPSUGEL, a subsidiary of Pfizer Inc. The disadvantage of this technology is that when they are filled with liquids there is always a bubble of air left in the capsule. For the natural unesterified vitamin E which is the best form to take, the presence of air causes oxidation and rancidity. In this regard, the amount of air present is far in excess of any insignificant 'breathing' through the gelatin softgel. So the suggestion that hardgels provide better stability is incorrect. Premium vitamin E products are in softgels. The hardgels are used extensively for solid products and in the case of vitamin E this would be the esterified alpha-tocopherol such as alpha-tocopherol succinate and acetate. These forms are stable because the active group is blocked and the use of capsules is to make swallowing easier, not for stability. This form, however, is not the preferable form because it is not available as the complete family of natural tocopherols plus tocotrienols as found in our food. In addition, for people with digestive problems these forms are not used efficiently.

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My question is regarding topical use of vitamin E. I have been applying vitamin E (NUTRA - E 28,000 I.U.) to my eyelids due to contact dermatitis, however, before reading your articles I purchased GNC brand of liquid vitamin E which is 150 IU as dl-alpha Tocopheryl Acetate, other ingredient soybean oil, now I am concerned that this form of Vitamin E will be of no use to me. I would very much appreciate your advice and expertise on this matter.
You are right to be concerned; it contains the synthetic, esterified form. You will get some benefit but not the full benefit. Please look at our web page http://www.yasoo.com/callisto-creme.htm for the Callisto line.

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I have a bottle of NOW brand vit-e on my desk it is - E-400 100% Natural d-alpha Tocopheryl acetate. Does all Vit.-E say acetate I thought that was a synthetic?
The vitamin E that you have on your desk is natural, the way you can tell is by the d-alpha; if it says dl, that means it is synthetic. However, the tocopheryl acetate tells you that this form of tocopherol is esterified. In chemical terms, ester is the chemical union of an alcohol and an acid. Alpha-tocopherol is an alcohol. It is esterified when it is combined with the acid acetate. This is done to make the d-alpha tocopherol stable. In the esterified form of alpha-tocopherol the active antioxidant group is blocked. Vitamin E cannot perform its function until the acid or the muzzle is removed. Our bodies do this through enzymes that are produced in our stomachs, which remove the acid and free the alpha-tocopherol to do its work. If the d-alpha tocopherol is unesterified it can immediately fight free radicals. This is important in a vitamin E supplement that you take internally and also important in a vitamin E creme or oil that you use on your skin. Lastly, vitamin E is made up of eight compounds (four tocopherols and four tocotrienols.) In your NOW vitamin, you are only getting one compound as d-alpha tocopherol. Many studies have proven that you will get the maximum benefit from taking the entire family of vitamin E. Look for vitamin E supplements that contain all eight compounds. For example, Yasoo Health's Vitamin E Factor 400/400 contains 400 IU's of d-alpha tocopherol and 400 milligrams of the other tocopherols and tocotrienols.

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I have read where vitamin E is good for the lungs. Is that true and what effect does it have on the lungs?
Vitamin E has been suggested to have the following benefits for lungs: It helps reduce the risk of lung cancer (Cancer Control. 2003 Jul-Aug;10(4):315-24). Along with vitamin C and other antioxidants it may help people with asthma. (Arch Environ Health. 2001 May-Jun;56(3):242-9). In premature babies and cystic fibrosis patients, vitamin E deficiency affects overall wellness and increases the risk of infections including lung infections (Eur Respir J. 1996 Feb;9(2):334-9). For adults, we recommend vitamin E products that contain the complete vitamin E family of tocopherols plus tocotrienols such as the Vitamin E Factor 400/400.

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My PSA is a little high and my LDL is 119. Which of your products can I take? I am 68 years old.
Vitamin E (and mainly the gamma-tocopherol), selenium and lycopene support good prostate health. Omega 3 (fish oil and tocotrienols support healthy cholesterol levels). A complete regimen would include: 1. Antioxidant Factor, one softgel per day (supplies selenium, Lycopene and other antioxidants) 2. Omega -T, two softgels per day (supplies omega 3, gamma tocopherol, tocotrienols and CoQ10); 3. Maxi-Gamma, one softgel per day (supplies extra gamma tocopherol). If you do not wish to take all three products, I would recommend the Antioxidant Factor and the Omega T. If you want to take only one product, I recommend 3 softgels of Omega-T.

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I have heard that the dry form of vitamin E is better and more absorbable than the regular version. Is this true and if so, can you tell me why?
The dry form of E is not better and is not more absorbable than the regular version. The dry form of vitamin E is esterified (alpha tocopheryl succinate or acetate) which means that the active group is blocked. Our digestive system removes the block prior to absorption but this process may not be 100% efficient especially in the elderly and people with liver problems or other conditions. In addition the dry form is the alpha tocopherol, one of the eight members of the vitamin E family. This mean that if you take dry vitamin E you take only one of the eight members and you are not taking gamma tocopherol and the tocotrienols.

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What is the difference between the 100/100, 400/400 and Maxi-gamma 800 vitamin E products you sell? My dad has recently been diagnosed with possible early Alzheimers and the neurologist said to take 1000 IU of vitamin E. Dad has never been too big on vitamins and doesn't like taking pills so we're trying to have him take as few as possible. Thus, I was wondering if the 800 was an adequate substitute for two of the 400/400?
The 400/400 and 100/100 are identical products except the 400/400 supplies a 4 times higher dose. The Maxi-Gamma is a form of vitamin E which fights the nitrogen free radicals which are harmful molecules implicated in Alzheimer's. In my opinion, your dad will benefit from taking one softgel every day of 400/400 plus one softgel Maxi-Gamma.