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. You can find vitamin E in an excellent doctor-formulated multivitamin product. Vitamin E and vitamin A are fat soluble vitamins.
Vitamin E - Tocopherol Complex product, Now Foods
Tocotrienols
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Forms of Vitamin E
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.
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.
Q. I am a
nutritionist and wanted your opinion on vitamin E optimal intake.
A. A person's optimal vitamin E supplement requirement is
influenced by many factors, particularly diet. I think a daily vitamin E
supplement (mixed tocopherols) intake of 10 to 100 units a few times a week is
reasonable, and frankly I 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 vitamin E deficiency 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
Q. 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?
A. 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.
Vitamin E product 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?
P.S. I have found your website extremely helpful. Especially
concerning DHEA. A friend advised me to take it. He has been taking now for five
years without a doctor's advice and is almost completely bald. He has since
discontinued use and made an appointment with a nutritionist/M.D.
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.
Q. Is vitamin E product helpful for Parkinson's disease?
A. Perhaps, see
Parkinson's disease information page.
Q. Hi, I've been seeing recent reports stating that Vitamin E supplementation
is actually dangerous. Can you comment on this?
A. 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 of vitamin E, ranging from 10 to 100 units of mixed tocopherols have
more potential to be healthy than unhealthy.
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