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Vitamin E and Human Immune Functions

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Nutrition and Immunology

Part of the book series: Human Nutrition ((HUNU))

Abstract

Vitamin E is the major lipid-soluble antioxidant in the human body and as such, is critical for the optimal functioning of all cells, including those of the immune system (Machlin, 1991). Several recent reviews have focused on the importance of vitamin E in the generation of in vitro lymphocyte, macrophage, and neutrophil responses (Carpenter, 1986; Boxer, 1990). Studies in laboratory and production animals have consistently shown that vitamin E deficiency results in increased rates of infection and mortality whereas higher-than-recommended intakes enhance overall immunity, including tumor immunity (Scott, 1980; Bendich, 1990a; Tengerdy, 1990).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hoffmann-LaRoche Inc., Nutley, New Jersey, 07110, USA

    Adrianne Bendich

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  1. Adrianne Bendich
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  1. Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA

    David M. Klurfeld

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© 1993 Springer Science+Business Media New York

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Bendich, A. (1993). Vitamin E and Human Immune Functions. In: Klurfeld, D.M. (eds) Nutrition and Immunology. Human Nutrition. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-2900-2_10

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-2900-2_10

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4613-6257-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4615-2900-2

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