Many scientists agree: Vitamin E is a powerful disease-fighting nutrient. It may help prevent or alleviate conditions such as heart disease, Alzheimer's, diabetes, skin damage, prostate cancer and arthritis. But if you've been taking vitamin E supplements, you may not be getting everything the nutrient has to offer.

Why? The type of vitamin E most commonly sold is chemically known as d-alpha-tocopherol. The problem is that d-alpha-tocopherol is only one of eight different compounds that make up vitamin E. Recent studies show that the compound called d-gamma-tocopherol may be much more beneficial. Scientists are also now recognizing that not just these two, but all eight of vitamin E's compounds are important for staving off illness.

So don't just grab the first bottle of vitamin E you see. Look for products that contain the full vitamin E family, labeled "mixed tocopherols and tocotrienols." Brands include: Yasoo Health, Nature's Bounty and Carlson Nutritional Supplements.