Vitamin E is a natural anticoagulant, which makes it of interest for cluster headache. It is also a potent anti-oxidant, and may be of interest to those using oxygen to abort cluster headaches.

Coagulation

The anticoagulant properties of Vitamin E are complex and not consistent. While it may thin the blood for some people, this is not a predictable effect.

There are reports of people receiving warfarin or other anticoagulants who experienced excessive bleeding, which was attributed to an interaction between Vitamin E and the anticoagulants. (source (cache), source2 (cache), source3 (cache))

Although many doctors warn against combining vitamin E with warfarin or other blood thinners, one study found that the combination was no different than the warfarin alone. (source (cache)) And a study of Vitamin E in a group of healthy men in Japan found that it did not affect platelet aggregation or coagulation. (source (cache))

An Antioxidant

Over 100 studies have indicated that vitamin E can protect tissues from the negative effects of too much oxygen. 100% oxygen is an effective way for many to abort a cluster headache, but 100% oxygen causes cell membranes to age - increasing the oxygen content lowers the combustion point of organic molecules, and over time, pure oxygen (like peroxide and ozone) act as a room temperature fire. Even exercise can increase the oxidative stress on an organism, and antioxidants have been repeatedly shown to reduce that effect.

Other Benefits

Vitamin E is also anti-inflammatory and can reduce levels of TNF and IL-1 which are elevated in cluster headache (but not migraine). source (cache)).

It is widely accepted that smoking depletes the body of Vitamin E and C. (source (cache), source2 (cache))

Gamma-tocopherol (the most widely used form) reduces inflammatory eicosanoids, working in a way similar to fish oil. Gamma-tocopherol also reduces TNF, which is elevated in cluster headaches. (source (cache))

Forms of Vitamin E

Some organic molecules are like gloves; there are 'right-handed' and 'left-handed' molecules. The only active form of Vitamin E is the right-handed (dextro or d-) form. Many cheaper forms of vitamin E are semi-synthetic compounds that are a 50-50 mix of the left and right handed forms. At the very least, the innactive l- compounds are filler. There is some evidence that they may block or interfere with normal Vitamin E function.

Dangers of Vitamin E

A recent study that was widely publicized found that men taking large doses of Vitamin E actually were more likely to die than the general population.
This study did not rule out the possibility that men with serious diseases took vitamin E because they were sick. As dozens of other studies

200 to 400 International Units of Vitamin E per day is generally considered safe. (source (cache) , source2 (cache) )

Conclusions

It is not clear if this vitamin can act as an anticoagulant and prevent cluster headaches. Those who use oxygen to abort clusters may benefit from anti-oxidants like vitamin E and vitamin C. A good supplement of vitamin E like this Vitacost product costs around 10 cents per day.

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