This article explains the serendipitous discovery of vitamin E's effect on nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). NAHS is a common problem found in obesity and type 2 diabetes; characterized by fat accumulation, oxidative stress and inflammation in the liver. NASH is a main cause of cirrhosis (tissue scaring) that leads to liver failure and liver cancer. There is no cure for this but prevention is key. The investigators at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine have made a very helpful discovery. "The implications of our findings could have a direct impact on the lives of the approximately 63 million Americans who are at potential risk for developing obesity-related liver disease in their lifetimes," says Danny Manor, an associate professor at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine (from article). Vitamin E has been previously known to help prevent certain cancers and heart disease, but never with liver cancer (caused by obesity). They tested mice and found that the untreated mice (no vitamin E supplemented) showed more advanced NASH, while the treated mice had little or no NAHS. "supplementation with vitamin E averted the majority of NASH-related symptoms in these animals, confirming the relationship between vitamin E deficiency and liver disease" (from article). This discovery is supported by National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. "These findings may have a significant impact on public health," says Manor, "as the vast majority of adults in the United States do not consume the amount of vitamin E recommended by the National Institute of Medicine." The previous quote shows how significant this study is!
NOS themes:
Science is collaborative
Science is based on evidence
Role of Credibility
Importance of repeatability
Role of motivation and curiosity
It is interesting to find out that vitamin E is a potential weapon against obesity because I did an article about vitamin D and obesity, but the researchers in my article said that vitamin D did not affect obesity. I wonder how much vitamin E will affect people who are obese. I don't think that this means that all people who are obese have to do is eat vitamin E to get to a healthy weight. They probably also have to exercise.
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