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Writer's pictureCynthia A. Barrington, BCHHP, CNHP

Vitamin E-The Essential Vitamin

Vitamin E is known as the Essential Vitamin as it is tied in with life itself and almost every function of life. It is found naturally in some foods. E is a collective name for a group of fat-soluble compounds with specific antioxidant properties. Although vitamin E exists in eight forms, alpha-tocopherol is the only one that is beneficial for human use.


Vitamin E, as a fat-soluble antioxidant, stops free radicals from forming when fat undergoes oxidation. It may help prevent or delay the chronic disease that is caused by free radicals. Vitamin E is also involved in immune function, cell signaling, regulation of gene expression, and other metabolic processes.


The best way to consume vitamin E is through food.


Benefits

  • Conserves oxygen

  • Helps oxygenate tissue

  • Protects cells from free radicals

  • Decreased risk of age-related cataracts

  • Aids in muscle repair after exercise

  • Plays an important role in the production of prostaglandins, which are responsible for regulating a variety of body processes

  • Vital to adrenal, pituitary, and sex glands as well as the reproductive system

  • Helps prevent and reduce scarring

Foods that provide vitamin E

  • Nuts

  • Seeds

  • Green leafy vegetables

  • Wheat germ

  • Eggs

  • Avocados

  • Beefsteak

  • Vegetable oils (cold-pressed)

  • Fish

  • Lamb

Herbs that provide vitamin E

  • Alfalfa

  • Bee pollen

  • Kelp

  • Red raspberry

  • Rosehips

  • Slippery Elm

  • Papaya

Signs of deficiency

  • Damage to red blood cells

  • Destruction of nerves

  • Infertility in men and women

  • Menstrual problems

  • Reproductive problems including miscarriage

  • Neuromuscular impairment

  • Heart stress

  • Muscular disorders

Research Shows

  • Possible reduction of heart disease risk

  • Possibly lowers the risk of cardiovascular death

  • Possible reduction of major cardiac events in women over 65

  • Possibly lowers the risk of developing blood clots in the legs and lungs in women

  • MIght lower risk of advance prostate cancer in smokers


Office of Dietary Supplements - Vitamin E. (n.d.). Retrieved May 31, 2020, from https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminE-HealthProfessional/

Vitamin E. (2019, July 2). Retrieved May 31, 2020, from https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/vitamin-e/

Bradford, A. (2018, October 1). Vitamin E: Sources, Benefits & Risks. Retrieved May 31, 2020, from https://www.livescience.com/51543-vitamin-e.html

Hovis, B. S. (n.d.). Vitamins & Minerals. Retrieved May 11, 2020, from https://trinityschool.instructure.com/courses/499/pages/week-1-lecture-3-vitamins-and-minerals




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