Page 91 - Encyclopedia of Chemical Compounds 3 Vols

ALPHA TOCOPHEROL

Words to Know

CARCINOGEN A chemical that causes cancer VISCOUS Describes a syrupy liquid that
in humans or other animals. flows slowly.

In addition to its use as a vitamin supplement for normal
individuals and those at risk for vitamin E deficiency, the
tocopherols have a few other uses:
• In the curing of meat to block the action of nitrosa-
mines, a group of compound that occurs naturally in
meats and may be carcinogenic;
• As an additive to animal feed to replace vitamins lost
during feed processing; and
• As a food additive in vegetable oils and shortening to
prevent oxidation (spoilage).

FOR FURT H ER INFOR M ATIO N
Challem, Jack, and Melissa Diane Smith. Basic Health Publica
tions User’s Guide to Vitamin E: Don’t Be a Dummy: Become
an Expert on What Vitamin E Can Do for Your Health. North
Bergen, NJ: Basic Health Publications, 2002.
Packer, Lester, and Carol Colman. The Antioxidant Miracle: Put
Lipoic Acid, Pycogenol, and Vitamins E and C to Work for You.
New York: Wiley, 1999.
‘‘Vitamin E.’’ National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary
Supplements.
http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/vitamine.asp (accessed on
September 17, 2005).
‘‘Vitamin E (tocopherol).’’ Vitamin and Health Supplements Guide.
http://www.vitamins supplements.org/vitamin E.php
(accessed on September 17, 2005).

40 CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS