Vitamin E
For a printable version of this document, please here: Vitamin E Information Sheet.
(Please be advised, any information contained in this document is for educational purposes only. Before beginning a supplement regimen, it is best to speak with your physician.)
Vitamin E is found naturally in some foods, added to others, and available as a dietary supplement. The name “vitamin E” is actually the collective name for a group of fat-soluble compounds with very distinctive antioxidant activities.[18] Naturally occurring vitamin E exists in eight chemical forms (alpha-, beta-, gamma- and delta-tocopherol and alpha-, beta-, gamma- and delta-tocotrienol) that all have varying levels of biological activity. [18] Overall, the alpha-tocopherol form is the most potent in the group of eight molecules and is the only form that is recognized to meet human requirements.
Vitamin E is an antioxidant that is important in the prevention of cancer and cardiovascular disease. As an antioxidant, vitamin E prevents cell damage by inhibiting the oxidation of lipids (fats) and the formation of free radicals. It protects other fat-soluble vitamins from destruction by oxygen and aids in the utilization of vitamin A. It retards aging and may prevent age spots. [19]
Antioxidants protect cells from the damaging effects of free radicals, which are molecules that contain an unshared electron. Free radicals damage cells and might contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease and cancer. [23] Unshared electrons are highly energetic and react rapidly with oxygen to form reactive oxygen species (ROS). The body forms ROS endogenously when it converts food to energy, and antioxidants might protect cells from the damaging effects of ROS. The body is also exposed to free radicals from environmental exposures, such as cigarette smoke, air pollution, and ultraviolet radiation from the sun.
Functions of vitamin E in your body: [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,19]
The following are sources of vitamin E from most to least: [9]
Vitamin E may be used to treat: [10,11,12]
Vitamin E and Your Health
Many claims have been made about vitamin E’s potential to promote health and prevent and treat disease. The mechanisms by which vitamin E might provide this protection include its function as an antioxidant and its roles in anti-inflammatory processes, inhibition of platelet aggregation and immune enhancement. [22]
Atherosclerosis [15]
Of all the antioxidants, vitamin E may offer the greatest protection against the oxidation of LDL cholesterol because of its ability to be easily incorporated into the LDL molecule. According to several studies, there is a clear cut correlation between the dosage and effect of vitamin E. Meaning, the higher the dosage of vitamin E, the greater the degree of protection against oxidative damage to LDL cholesterol. It has been shown that dosages as low as 25mg are effective in offering some protection, although typically doses greater than 400IU are required to produce clinically significant effects. Vitamin E may provide additional benefits in protecting against heart disease and strokes by its ability to:
Atrophic vaginitis [16]
According to several studies, vitamin E supplementation was shown to improve not only the symptoms, but also the blood supply to the vaginal wall when taken for at least 4 weeks. [13] A follow-up study demonstrated that vitamin E (400IU/day) was effective in about 50% of postmenopausal women with atrophic vaginitis. [14] Vitamin E oil, creams, ointments, or suppositories can be used topically to provide symptomatic relief of atrophic vaginitis. Vitamin E is usually quite effective in relieving the dryness and irritation of atrophic vaginitis as well as other forms of vaginitis.
Cancer
Antioxidant nutrients like vitamin E protect cell constituents from the damaging effects of free radicals that, if unchecked, might contribute to cancer development. [21] Vitamin E might also block the formation of carcinogenic nitrosamines formed in the stomach from nitrites in foods and protect against cancer by enhancing immune function. [23] Some research has linked higher intakes of vitamin E with a decreased incidence of breast and prostate cancers. [24]
Diabetes [17]
Diabetics appear to have an increased requirement for vitamin E. High dose of vitamin E (900IU) not only improves insulin action, but also exerts a number of beneficial effects that may aid in preventing the long-term complications of diabetes.
Eye Disorders
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataracts are among the most common causes of significant vision loss in older people. Their etiologies are usually unknown, but the cumulative effects of oxidative stress have been suggested to play a role. If so, nutrients with antioxidant functions, such as vitamin E, could be used to prevent or treat these conditions.
The Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS), a large randomized clinical trial, revealed that participants with early stage AMD could slow the progression of their disease by taking a daily supplement of vitamin E (400IU), vitamin C (500mg), beta-carotene (15mg), zinc (80mg), and copper (2mg) for an average of 6.3 years compared to participants taking a placebo. [25] Several observational studies have revealed a potential relationship between vitamin E supplements and the risk of cataract formation. One prospective study found that lens clarity was superior in participants who took vitamin E supplements and those with higher blood levels of the vitamin. [26] In another study, long-term use of vitamin E supplements was associated with slower progression of age-related lens opacification. [27]
Overall, the evidence available is inconsistent with respect to whether vitamin E supplements, taken alone or in combination with other antioxidants, can reduce the risk of developing AMD or cataracts. However, the formulation of vitamin E, other antioxidants, zinc, and copper used in AREDS holds promise for slowing the progression of AMD in people with early-stage disease.
Vitamin E Deficiency:
Vitamin E deficiency may result in damage to red blood cells and destruction of nerves. According to several studies, low levels of vitamin E in the body have been linked to bowel and breast cancer. People with fat-malabsorption disorders are more likely to become deficient than people without such disorders because the digestive tract requires fat to absorb vitamin E. In addition, people with Crohn’s disease, cystic fibrosis, or an inability to secrete bile from the liver into the digestive tract, for example, often pass greasy stools or have chronic diarrhea; as a result they sometimes require water-soluble forms of vitamin E. [22]
Signs of deficiency can include: [19,20,22]
Things that can decrease vitamin E levels: [8]
Dosage [32]
The following are tolerable upper intake levels for vitamin E. These levels are the highest average daily intake level that is likely to pose no risk of adverse health effects to individuals in the general population. Please be advised that with any over the counter supplement it is best to discuss the options with your physician before beginning the regimen.
| Age | Male | Female | Pregnancy | Lactation |
| 1-3 years | 200mg (300IU) | 200mg (300IU) | ||
| 4-8 years | 300mg (450IU) | 300mg (450IU) | ||
| 9-13 years | 600mg (900IU) | 600mg (900IU) | ||
| 14-18 years | 800mg (1,200IU) | 800mg (1,200IU) | 800mg (1,200IU) | 800mg (1,200IU) |
| 19+ years | 1,000mg (1,500IU | 1,000mg (1,500IU) | 1,000mg (1,500IU) | 1,000mg (1,500IU) |
Interactions with medications
Vitamin E supplements have the potential to interact with several types of medications. Please be advised if you are taking any of the following:
Anticoagulant and antiplatelet medications
Vitamin E can inhibit platelet aggregation and antagonize vitamin K-dependent clotting factors. As a result, taking large doses with anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications, such as warfarin (Coumadin®), can increase the risk of bleeding, especially in conjunction with low vitamin K intake. The amounts of supplemental vitamin E needed to produce clinically significant effects are unknown but probably exceed 400IU/day.[28]
Chemotherapy and radiotherapy
Oncologists generally advise against the use of antioxidant supplements during cancer chemotherapy or radiotherapy because they might reduce the effectiveness of these therapies by inhibiting cellular oxidative damage in cancerous cells. [29,30] Although a systematic review of randomized controlled trials has called this concern into question [31], further research is needed to evaluate the potential risks and benefits of concurrent antioxidant supplementation with conventional therapies for cancer.
References:
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