GREYHOUND MAIL - FEBRUARY 2003 VITAMIN E - SOME INTERESTING FACTS
In my article in the December issue of Walk & Talk - I wrote regarding the importance of Vitamin E - now courtesy of Natural Performance Products "Greyhound Update - Volume 1"  - here is the whole article:- For many years vitamin E has received an inordinate amount of publicity for a variety of uses, conditions and complaints in both the human and veterinary literature. Whether as an anti-oxidant, old age preventer, libido improver, performance enhancer, an immune system booster or something else, vitamin E is always to the fore when vitamins are discussed and many feel it deserves its place at the top of the vitamin talk list. Here is some of the interesting information about this important vitamin:- Vitamin E, like vitamins  A, D and K is a fat-soluble vitamin. B group vitamins and vitamin C are water-soluble. In all species, vitamin E functions to improve circulation, give cardiovascular support, prevents muscle damage, soreness and fatigue, helps with cramps (especially when combined with organic selenium), promotes tissue repair (again with Se), maintains stamina and staying ability, and generally aids recovery. It is also an effective anti-oxidant, helping to prevent damage by the free radicals. For high performance in animals and humans it is next to impossible to get enough vitamin E in the diet alone. Extra supplementation is necessary and usual doses for greyhounds are in the vicinity of 100 to 200 I.U. If using iron supplement, give vitamin E separately. Don't give at the same time as iron, which has a harmful effect on vitamin E. Freezing food destroys the vitamin E in meat and vegetables and therefore, according to Dr. Kohnke, it is important to add extra E to meet requirements. Dr. Kohnke says of all the vitamins that are fed to greyhounds, vitamin E is probably the one that gives most benefit to performance and stamina in racing greyhounds. For avoiding and minimising muscle damage and aiding recovery, vitamin E and organic selenium (selenomethonine) are prime requirements for animal and human athletes. When these two substances are used together there will be less damage and soreness to muscles and recovery will be quicker with better gains to fitness. Natural vitamin E (d-alpha tocopherol) is the preferred form, officially recognised as having a 36% greater potency than its synthetic counterpart (synthetic forms begin with "di"). Recent studies, however, using human subjects indicated that natural E is probably twice as effective as the synthetic form. Dr. Kohnke (personal communication) offered the following training tip. If trialling on Wednesday or Thursday prior to a Saturday start, withhold dosage of Vitamin E or vitamin E selenium (Se) the day before. Then, the morning after the trial, that is on the Thursday or Friday, double the dose for a couple of days. This results in a higher concentration of vitamin E and this increased concentration, especially when combined with Se is helpful for reducing muscle damage, improving muscle recovery and for greater anti-oxidant qualities. For example, if you were giving 1 x Biomedica Se + E tablet night and morning, simply double the dose if following the above advice. Vitamin E and Se are synergistic and complement each other. Simply, they are biological companions with similar actions working together to provide the ideal therapeutic combination. According to the literature no discussion about vitamin E would be complete without mentioning Se as their functions are intrically linked.