Before a scientific assertion is made public it should be scrutinized for credibility. Has the scientist drawn justifiable conclusions, based on the data available from sound scientific research? The peer review process is a form of scientific quality control, where scientists open their research to the scrutiny of other experts in the field. By reviewing and criticizing each other’s work, scientists aim to ensure that only original and sound research is published and recognized.

Despite concerns that have been expressed about possible health risks from high intake of vitamin E, a new review concludes that biological mechanisms exist to routinely eliminate excess levels of the vitamin, and they make it almost impossible to take a harmful amount. Thus, no level of vitamin E in the diet or from any normal use of supplements should be a concern. Did past studies, which have alleged adverse consequences from increased vitamin E intakes, misinterpret the data?

Phytochemicals are biologically active compounds, found in plants in small amounts. At present, most interest in phytochemicals is focused on carotenoids and polyphenolic flavonoids, which seem to contribute to protection against degenerative diseases, such as cancer and cardiovascular disease. Mechanistically, phytochemicals are thought to act in many ways, which include their activity as antioxidants, antibacterial/ viral agents, phytohormones and as inducers or inhibitors of a variety of key enzymes. Because of the large number of chemically different phytochemicals and the lack of a distinctive deficiency syndrome or inherent physiological role in many cases, allocating recommended dietary intakes to phytochemicals is problematic.