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A major new Vitamin E study, published July 6 in JAMA (Journal Am Med Assn), reinforced 55 years of research showing the vitamin strengthens the heart. The Women’s Health Study followed 40,000 women for more than 10 years. Those taking 600 IU of Vitamin E daily had a reduction of between 24% and 49% in cardiovascular deaths, with the greatest reduction occuring in those over 65, for whom the risk of heart disease is greatest. In addition, participants over 65 had 35% fewer actual heart attacks. But a new Centers for Disease Control report, out this week, ignores the new information and recommends that Americans consume no more than 400 IU of Vitamin E daily. (more…)

A long awaited European court ruling, announced July 12, left in place a mechanism many fear could bring a vitamin ban to the EU. But close analysis of the court opinion provides more questions than answers.

Some observers noted hopefully that the court exempted “natural forms” of vitamins and minerals from regulation. But, in the current atmosphere, with the future of supplement usage in contention around the globe, the ruling may simply set off more hand to hand combat over what “natural” means. (more…)

A Scottish research team has found a mechanism by which a single essential fatty acid, EPA, affects mental illness. EPA has antidepressant and antipsychotic properties not found in its counterpart, DHA. EPA and DHA are essential fatty acids that occur, in varying ratios, in fish and fish oil supplements. But they have differing physiological activity, according to research published in the August edition of Pharmacological Research. (more…)