New Research to Examine Effects of Vitamin E on Obesity
Of the 13 essential vitamins, vitamin E is known to benefit vision, reproduction and
a person’s blood, brain and skin. Researchers at Texas Tech University Health Sciences
Center (TTUHSC) now are studying vitamin E to examine the effects of the vitamin on
obesity with obese adults.
Vitamin E has antioxidant properties that protect cells against molecules produced
when your body breaks down food. Leslie Shen, Ph.D., C.C.R.P., a TTUHSC professor
in the Department of Pathology, said these molecules may play a role in other diseases
such as obesity.
“The presence of chronic low-grade inflammation in obese people plays an important role in the development of obesity- associated insulin resistance, diabetes and cardiovascular disease,” Shen said. “Among these risk factors, obesity is now recognized as a worldwide epidemic disease. Obesity-induced chronic low-grade inflammation is initiated by excess nutrients in metabolic cells.”
Shen said aging and the decline of estrogen are factors that contribute to weight gain in postmenopausal women, and approaches, such as anti-inflammatory potential in dietary antioxidants to reduce inflammation may likely combat obesity. TTUHSC researchers are conducting a 24-week research study examining the effects of tocotrienols, a type of vitamin E, on obesity-associated outcome measures in obese men and women.
Participants are needed for this study, “Effect of Tocotrienol (vitamin E isomers) on Obesity.” Shen said other studies have indicated tocotrienols supplements may be good for mitigating negative impacts of obesity in obese adults.
“However, no study has ever been done on the role of tocotrienols in obesity in adult men and women,” Shen said. “Our long-term goal is to develop a new strategy featuring a dietary supplement such as tocotrienols for mitigating negative impacts of obesity in adult men and women.”
Participants should be adult men and women. Participation is free of charge. The study is funded by a grant from School of Medicine, TTUHSC, the Laura W. Bush Institute for Women’s Health and American River Nutrition, L.L.C.
For more information about this research study, contact the Clinical Research Institute at (806) 743-4471 or via email.
Related Stories
TTUHSC School of Medicine Resident Making an Impact as Published Researcher
During the current fiscal year, Pojsakorn Danpanichkul, M.D., has contributed to 19 papers in high-impact journals, including nine on which he served as first author.
Transformative, Collaborative Gift to Accelerate Research on Urinary Tract Infections
Eliese Teasdale recently made a $975,000 gift to the TTUHSC School of Nursing to support ongoing research focusing on detection and treatment of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women.
Logsdon Receives Grant to Study Vascular Side of Traumatic Brain Injuries
Supported by a three-year, $578,211 grant from the National Institutes of Health-National Institute on Aging, Aric F. Logsdon, Ph.D., will study how brain endothelial cells, or blood vessels within the brain, handle the stressors of neuroinflammation.
Recent Stories
From Backpacks to White Coats: TTUHSC School of Medicine Invests in Tomorrow’s Healers Today
As part of its partnership with JAMP, the TTUHSC School of Medicine Admissions Office recently partnered with Alderson Elementary School in the Lubbock Independent School District to provide critical school supplies.
TTUHSC School of Medicine Resident Making an Impact as Published Researcher
During the current fiscal year, Pojsakorn Danpanichkul, M.D., has contributed to 19 papers in high-impact journals, including nine on which he served as first author.
Legislative Support Strengthens Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center’s Efforts to Improve Rural Cancer Care
Support for TTUHSC continued in the 89th legislative session, including $25 million to establish the Rural Cancer Collaborative.