Vitamin E: Choose Your Type Wisely

Proponents of vitamin E have been touting its antioxidant properties for years. But new research underscores that when it comes to cancer prevention, the many forms of E are far from equal. And if bladder cancer, in particular, is your concern, you need to be especially selective about which type you take.

A team of researchers at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center sifted through food questionnaires filled out by 468 newly diagnosed bladder cancer patients and 534 cancer-free people, and found that high dietary intake of the alpha-tocopherol form of E reduced the risk of developing bladder cancer by as much as 42 percent. Gamma-tocopherol, on the other hand, which has been shown to reduce prostate cancer risk, had no bladder-beneficial effects.

Foods rich in alpha-tocopherol include almonds, red and green peppers, spinach, and vegetable oils. But since it’s tough to get the 400-IU dose that’s often recommended for cancer prevention from food alone, supplements are a good idea. Alpha-tocopherol is the form most often found in supplements, but check the label to be sure that’s what you’re buying.