Ionising radiation is damaging to the human body because it has the potential to cause damage to DNA within cells and this can then lead to cell replication errors and cancer. There are many forms of radiation with gamma radiation generally acknowledged to be the most damaging. However, low levels of many types of radiation are present naturally and such chronic exposure to low levels of general radiation is a much more likely scenario for obtaining radiation damage compared to the rare incidence of exposure to acute levels of high amounts. Vitamin E is protective of cells and DNA from radiation and in this regard both the tocopherols and the tocotrienols are protective. This relates to the ability of vitamin E to quench free radicals caused by ionising radiation and thus limit the damaging effects it can have. In animal models, γ-tocotrienol has been shown to be highly protective of animals exposed to various forms of radiation, supporting the role of vitamin E in cellular health.
Eat Well, STay Healthy, Protect Yourself
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