An increasing number of studies have come to the conclusion that excessive intake of Vitamin E has the
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potential to increase the risk for heart disease rather than having a preventive effect, which is not only a
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concern for overdosing on Vitamin E, but other Vitamins and minerals as well. While an optimal intake of
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any nutrient will provide optimal benefits, going beyond this ideal amount may not only reduce those benefits
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again, but potentially lead to adverse consequences. Most patients I have tested over the years had - with
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some exceptions - much greater requirements for Vitamin C than for Vitamin E, so an excessive intake of
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Vitamin E could in those individuals easily worsen any low Vitamin C-related medical problems, which may
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include cardiovascular disease.
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Some theories on a negative "High Vitamin E / Heart Disease" relationship include the possibility that mega-
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doses of antioxidants can turn into pro-oxidants. There is also evidence that mixed carotenoids (lutein, alpha
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/ beta carotene, lycopene, zeaxanthin, crytoxanthin) are superior to using beta-carotene alone, or complexed
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Vitamin C (with rutin and hesperidin) is superior to supplementing plain ascorbic acid alone.
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Similarly, mixed or complexed Vitamin E in the form of alpha, beta, gamma, delta tocopherols, and alpha,
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beta, gamma, delta tocotrienols act as a synergistic formulation may equally reduce the risk of creating
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fractional Vitamin E deficiencies as a result of supplementing excessive amounts of one type (generally dl-
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alpha or d-alpha) alone, although some laboratory experiments indicated that gamma-tocopherol quinone
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caused cell death, in contrast to alpha-tocopherol quinone, which did not kill cells.
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One can easily see negative, rather than positive health benefits arising out of randomly supplementing high
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doses of single, instead of complexed vitamins (particularly in the absence of deficiencies). For practical
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purposes however, the best way to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease is to raise one's Vitamin C
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intake proportionately to the amounts of Vitamin E consumed, which - by maintaining a normal Vitamin C /
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Vitamin E ratio - will generally prevent any potential negative consequences. At the same time, when various
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"scientific" studies come to totally opposite conclusions, particularly concerning nutritional supplementation,
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both sides should be taken with a grain of salt, since agendas may have played heavily into their outcomes.
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While there may be genetic reasons in some cases, most individuals requiring more Vitamin C usually exhibit
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much higher than average levels of other nutrients or factors that oppose Vitamin C, with copper being at the
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top of the list. Lowering any Vitamin C antagonists, or adding a small amount of nickel to one's daily dietary
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or nutritional regimen, considerably reduces the need for mega-doses of Vitamin C, while still achieving the
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same benefits. (see also Acu-Cell "Vitamin C Supplementation").
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Cobalt is an integral part of Vitamin B12 (cobalamin), which is necessary for myelin formation - an insulating
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layer found around nerves, to supports red blood cell production, and it is also essential for the metabolism of
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fats, carbohydrates, the synthesis of proteins, and the conversion of folate to its active form. The average
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adult body contains 2 to 5 mg of Vitamin B12, of which most is stored in the liver.
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Vitamin B12 is available in several supplemental forms, of which cyanocobalamin & hydroxycobalamin
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(hydroxocobalamin = injectable) are the main synthetic forms that have a cyanide molecule attached, while
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adenosylcobalamin and methylcobalamin occur as two coenzymatically active and more efficient forms.
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In animal experiments, both of these active forms have demonstrated to reduce tumor growth, with methyl-
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cobalamin being superior in promoting nerve regeneration as well. Other research has not only suggested
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an increase in cancer or tumor cell divisions from receiving higher doses of Vitamin B12 (without however
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mentioning the actual form used), but also the presence of higher Vit B12 levels with some heart and liver
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conditions, and acute or chronic myelogenous leukemia.
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All forms of Vitamin B12 require the intrinsic factor for absorption, which in turn requires adequate stomach
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acid and an acid pH of 2.0 or less. Only microorganisms are capable of incorporating cobalt into Vit B12.
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Since cobalamin is not found in vegetarian food sources, herbivores get Vitamin B12 by eating plants that
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are infested with insects, or by actively eating feces to meet Vit B12 requirements, while in ruminants (sheep,
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cows), the microbes fermenting and digesting plant material in the rumen (the first stomach), incorporate
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cobalt into Vitamin B12, which is subsequently absorbed and utilized.
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Other than resulting from insufficient stomach acid - for which acid-lowering drugs may also be responsible,
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cobalt or Vitamin B12 deficiency can develop from malfunctioning or surgical removal of parts of the stomach
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or small intestines, from celiac disease, parasites, or other malabsorption disorders. Cobalt Deficiency is
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not a major problem though as long as one has adequate amounts of Vitamin B12.
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Long-term Vitamin B12 deficiency can result in demyelination of large nerve trunks and the spinal cord, in
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reduced white blood cells, and in pernicious anemia with symptoms of severe fatigue, shortness of breath,
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dizziness and headaches. Red blood cells become abnormally enlarged and reduced platelet formation
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causes poor clotting and bruising. While high intake of folic acid prevents the red blood cell changes caused
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by a Vit B12 deficiency, it does not prevent the resulting nerve damage, which may only become apparent in
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later stages and may not be reversible.
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Homocysteine is a by-product of methionine metabolism that can damage blood vessels and lead to an
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increased risk of heart disease and stroke. Insufficient levels of nickel, cobalt, Vitamin B12, Vitamin B6,
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folate and some other factors may lead to increased levels of this amino acid.
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