Vitamin E

# What is vitamin E? Vitamin E is the umbrella term for eight fat-soluble compounds, divided into four tocopherols and four tocotrienols. Vitamin E acts as an important cell protector in the body, especially in the brain and nervous system. In the blood, vitamin E is bound to specific transport proteins and thus reaches the organs and tissues. The liver, fatty tissue and muscles can store larger amounts of vitamin E. Vitamin E can cross the blood-brain barrier and protect the central nervous system in its function as an antioxidant. It neutralizes free radicals, which can cause cell damage as reactive oxygen molecules. In this way, vitamin E can reduce the risk of inflammation and chronic diseases, strengthen the immune system and reduce oxidative stress. Several genes are responsible for the absorption, transport and processing of vitamin E in the body. Genetic variants of these genes influence vitamin E metabolism and can impair the protective effect of vitamin E against oxidative stress. A vitamin E deficiency manifests itself in nervousness, increased irritability, neurological disorders, physical exhaustion, muscle weakness, impaired vision, visible signs of ageing, increased susceptibility to inflammation, a tendency to allergies and chronic infections. ## Examples of foods rich in vitamin E: > ## Good to know > > Under normal conditions, a cell is attacked around 10,000 times a day by free radicals. These are in search of electrons and act quite aggressively. Whether the cell has to give up an electron and becomes unstable in the process depends on its protective system. Cell protection is the task of antioxidants, with vitamin E and other helpers being right at the forefront and protecting the cell walls. # What do genetics have to do with it? We are investigating three genes involved in vitamin E metabolism: The GSTP1 gene (glutathione S-transferase Pi 1 gene) carries the blueprint for the enzyme GSTP1 in cells. This enzyme plays an important role in detoxification processes in the body and protects the cells from oxidative stress and inflammatory processes. In this respect, GSTP1 is closely linked to vitamin E metabolism. Genetic variations of the gene alter enzyme activity and consequently the body's antioxidant capacity and protection against oxidative stress. - Variant rs1695 of the GSTP1 gene: Genotypes A/A and A/G show a protective, positive effect under vitamin E supplementation. This means that a well-balanced antioxidant complex including vitamin E can help to reduce oxidative stress and the associated inflammatory processes and inflammatory diseases. - Variant rs1695 of the GSTP1 gene: The G/G genotype shows an increased risk of oxidative stress and associated inflammatory processes and inflammatory diseases, even with vitamin E supplementation. The TTPA gene (alpha-tocopherol transfer protein gene) carries the blueprint in the cells for a transport protein for vitamin E in the body. The active form of vitamin E is called alpha-tocopherol, and the TTPA gene is responsible for the storage and regulation of this active form. It has also been shown that the TTPA gene plays a role in the absorption of vitamin E from food. Mutations in the TTPA gene can, for example, lead to a deficiency of vitamin E, which can result in various diseases. - Variant rs6994076 of the TTPA gene: The genotype A/A shows a low vitamin E level, the genotype T/T a higher vitamin E level. The A/T genotype has no direct effect on vitamin E levels. The COMT gene (catechol-O-methyltransferase gene) carries the blueprint for the COMT enzyme in the cells, which is involved in the breakdown of messenger substances and vitamin E. Increased degradation of vitamin E means that an important cell-protecting component in the body is missing and the body's antioxidant capacity is reduced. In addition, certain variants of the COMT gene show a reduced absorption of vitamin E from food. - Variant rs4680 variant of the COMT gene: The G/G genotype shows increased COMT activity and low vitamin E levels. Carriers of this genotype show an increased risk of oxidative stress and associated inflammatory processes and inflammatory diseases, even with vitamin E supplementation. - Variant rs4680 variant of the COMT gene: Genotype A/A shows a lower COMT activity, a normal vitamin E level and a protective, positive effect under vitamin E supplementation. This means that a well-balanced antioxidant complex including vitamin E can help to reduce oxidative stress and the associated inflammatory processes and inflammatory diseases. - Variant rs4680 variant of the COMT gene: Genotype A/G shows normal COMT activity and a normal vitamin E level.