Vit E and Nitrox

[DivingDoc]

The PADI Nitrox manual says that Vitamin E and Magnesium supplements may have some protective effects against OXTOX. Would you care to speculate on the mechanism?

I would presume that the Vit E works as an antioxidant -- scavanging up superoxide radicals, which some think are part of the pathophysiology of OXTOX. Magnesium, of course, has some anti-seizure properties.

If Vit E works, I should think that Lipoic acid might work even better as it does get into the CNS and is even a more powerful antioxidant than Vit E.

Am I right? Speculations, comments, opinions?

ET:doctor:

 

[John Reinertson]

Again, as is so often said here, we don't know anything with certainty on this issue.
There are theoretical reasons to speculate that it would be helpful but we have no proof.

There were multiple theoretical reasons to speculate that Vitamin E supplements would help heart disease, but careful controllled trials showed it to not help.

Do I take supplements when i dive Nitrox? No, but I do try to eat more fruits and vegetables and whole grains when on dive vacations. Other docs may choose to take or recommend taking them, we're just in an area of no proof. I trust mother nature's vitamin sources (foods) somewhat more than I do pills, but that's my bias.

Happy Bubbles,
John