Vitamin E or α-Tocopherol, is a group of eight fat soluble products synthesised by plants, tocopherols and tocotrienols. 90% of vitamin E contains alpha tocopherols and acts as an antioxidant. It protects cell membranes, proteins, and DNA from oxidation and thereby contributes to cellular health. It is a light yellow oil, stable to heat and acids.
Vitamin E is stored in the liver and is safe even at high doses.
The α-tocopherol form is found in edible vegetable oils, especially wheat germ, sunflower and rapeseed oil. Other sources are leafy green vegetables (i.e., spinach, chard), nuts (almonds, peanuts) and nut spreads, avocados, sunflower seeds, mango and kiwifruit. It is also present in animal products like cheese and eggs or plant oils. Since Vitamin E is a fat-soluble nutrient ,its absorption is enhanced in the presence of fat in a meal.
Deficiency:
Its deficiency is not common. When deficient, it leads to RBC breakage and nerve damage. Most of the time, the deficiency is caused by a condition where nutrients are not properly digested or absorbed. These include Crohn’s disease, liver disease, cystic fibrosis, and
some rare genetic disorders. Very low-fat diet also cause its deficiency.
Warning:
Stop taking Vitamin E, if there is headache, dizziness, vision changes, a light-headed feeling, unusual weakness or tired feeling, diarrhea, stomach cramps; or easy bruising or bleeding (nosebleeds, bleeding gums).
Common side effects may include nausea, tired feeling, headache, or mild rash.
Drug Interactions: The drugs like cholestyramine, mineral oil, orlistat, aspirin, clopidogrel, Ibuprofen and warfarin may interact with Vitamin E.
Uses:
Because of its antioxidant activity, it is vital in protecting skin cells from UV light, pollution, drugs, and other elements that produce cell damaging free radicals. It is most effective in its natural alcohol form rather than its acetate form.
When added to lotions, creams, and other skin care products, as well as taken orally, it helps skin look younger by reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Vitamin E may be useful in treating or preventing menstrual pain, low sperm count, inflammation of eye tissues, cataracts, restless leg syndrome or relief from muscle cramping, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, various diabetes related complications cardiovascular disease, prostate cancer and breast cancer etc.
Dosage:
Usual Adult Dose for Vitamin E Deficiency: Treatment: 60 to 75 units orally once daily.
Prevention: 30 units orally once daily. Min: dose:15 mg/day (22.4 IU) and max:1,000 mg/day (1,500 IU). High doses between 300–800 IU each day, may increase the chance of a serious hemorrhagic stroke by 22 %
