A new study recently published in Nutrients points to a lower risk of Gallstone Disease being linked to higher blood levels of Vitamin E. Additionally researchers found participants with Gallstone Disease had a lower alpha tocopherol/cholesterol ratio than healthy participants. Gamma tocopherol levels/cholesterol ratios were also higher in healthier participants but the results were not statistically significant.
Over 550 individuals with a median age of 62 participated in this cross-sectional study. Women represented 38.5% of the study participants. Individuals with visibly detectable Gallstones identified by ultrasound were considered to have Gallstone Disease. Blood samples were used to determine LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, and Vitamin E (alpha and gamma tocopherol) levels. Associations between Gallstone Disease and Vitamin E blood levels as well as Gallstone Disease and Vitamin E/cholesterol ratio were made by researchers.
Researchers concluded that Vitamin E might help protect against oxidative stress and free radical damage which are believed to play a role in the development of Gallbladder disease. However researchers did caution that lower Vitamin E levels could be caused by increased oxidative stress in the participants with Gallstone Disease. It has already been determined that individuals with Gallstones have a reduction in Vitamin E absorption and interruptions in bile secretions seen in Gallbladder Disease are associated with deficiencies in fat-soluble vitamins.
Additional studies are needed.
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