Vitamin E deficiency and treatment

Also known as tocopherol, vitamin E was isolated in the 1920s. There is general agreement that this fat-soluble vitamin can function as an excellent antioxidant protecting cells from damage. Vitamin E and vitamin A are fat soluble vitamins.
   Medical research suggests benefits of supplementation in treatment or prevention of cardiovascular disease, inflammatory joint diseases and cancer. However, high dose supplementation may not be beneficial and it is possible that very high dosages of synthetic dl tocopherol may cause a slight increase in mortality. If you purchase the product below, we suggest you take one softgel two or three times a week rather than daily.

Vitamin E - Tocopherol Complex product, Now Foods

Tocotrienols and tocopherols are potent antioxidants that are 100% natural. These nutrients have been combined with d-alpha vitamin E, and yeast-free Selenium. The result is a synergistic combination of nutritional antioxidants.

60 softgels per bottle

 



Forms and types
Several types of natural vitamin E compounds are available, including alpha-, beta-, gamma-and delta-tocopherol. Alpha-tocopherol seems to be the most active, although we should not dismiss the importance of the others. It seems prudent to supplement with products that have mixed tocopherols as opposed to just alpha-tocopherol. Supplementation of diets with alpha-tocopherol reduces serum concentrations of gamma- and delta-tocopherol in humans.

Why take a combination of tocopherols?
Supplementation of diets with alpha-tocopherol reduces serum concentrations of gamma- and delta-tocopherol in humans. Therefore, it appears that it is healthier to take a combination of different natural forms of vitamin E. For more information on vitamin supplement use.

Parkinson's disease prevention or treatment
Is vitamin E product helpful for Parkinson's disease?
   Perhaps, see Parkinson's disease information page.

Danger, safe
I've been seeing recent reports stating that Vitamin E supplementation is actually dangerous. Can you comment on this?
   Is wine dangerous? At one bottle a day it could be but at a glass a day it could be a beneficial addition to one's diet. We believe small amounts, ranging from 10 to 100 units of mixed tocopherols have more potential to be healthy than unhealthy.

Recommendations
The average American diet contains between 10 and 22 international units of vitamin E. Additional intake is likely to be beneficial. Most healthy adults should do well with supplementing with 10 to 100 units a few times a week. Very high dosages, such as 1,000 units or more, can lead to an increase in bleeding tendency, fatigue, and possibly impaired immune function.

I am a nutritionist and wanted your opinion on vitamin E optimal intake.
   A person's optimal vitamin E supplement requirement is influenced by many factors, particularly diet. we think daily mixed tocopherols intake of 10 to 100 units a few times a week is reasonable, and frankly we don't see the need to take megadoses beyond 100 to 200 units a day.

Vitamin E deficiency
There are no obvious vitamin E deficiency side effects when the deficiency is mild. Severe lack can be harmful to the central nervous system and can cause ataxia, muscle weakness, and a peripheral neuropathy. Vitamin E deficiency is uncommon in adults but is possible in people whose diets are high in polyunsaturated fatty acids, which increase vitamin E requirements. Another cause of vitamin E deficiency is due to malabsorption.
   Vitamin E deficiency is noted in those with severe malnutrition, genetic defects affecting the alpha-tocopherol transfer protein, and fat malabsorption syndromes. Children with cystic fibrosis or cholestatic liver disease may develop symptomatic vitamin E deficiency since they have a problem with absorbing dietary fat and therefore fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamins A, E , D and K,

Topical vitamin E
I am experiencing dry mouth as a result of radiation therapy to my lower mandible area, which affected my salivary gland production. My oncologist suggested applying Vitamin E oil (taken directly from a capsule) to my tongue and mouth to alleviate some of the dryness. Can you support his theory?
   Sorry but we don't have any experience regarding the use of vitamin E applied topically for the relief of dry mouth after radiation therapy.

Emails
 Q. We recently had blood tests done to check our vitamin levels since we take a number of diferrent vitamins herbs amino acids fish oils each day. My husband's blood work came back with very high levels of Vitamin E 2600, although he only takes 100 milligrams each day in supplements. What causes high levels of Vitamin E in blood levels? Could it be a potential problem?
   A. Not enough research is available to determine whether high levels of vitamin E in the blood is a serious matter, or perhaps beneficial. However, we do not see the need to take vitamin E on a daily basis since it is fat soluble and can stay in tissues such as fat cells for storage. Taking a break from vitamin E supplements is a good idea if the blood level is high. There is no proof that a very high intake of vitamin E daily is any better than a more reasonable intake level such as 100 units 2 or 3 times a week.

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