Vitamin E
DEFINITION
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin that is well known for its
antioxidant properties.
antioxidant properties.
DESCRIPTION
Vitamin E is the most effective, fat-soluble antioxidant known
to occur in the human body. It makes the specialised membranes that
enclose the body cells much more stable and helps to protect the
structures inside the cells, such as DNA, from damage by free
radicals and other harmful chemicals.
to occur in the human body. It makes the specialised membranes that
enclose the body cells much more stable and helps to protect the
structures inside the cells, such as DNA, from damage by free
radicals and other harmful chemicals.
Tocopherols and tocotrienols are two groups of molecules comprising
Vitamin E. There are four natural tocopherols and tocotrienols,
alpha-, beta-, gamma- and delta. Of the eight naturally occurring
forms of vitamin E, it appears that only naturally occuring
alpha-tocopherol (commonly known as d-alpha-tocopherol) is
maintained in the human blood circulation. Synthetic
alpha-tocopherol is commonly known as d1-alpha-tocopherol.
Vitamin E. There are four natural tocopherols and tocotrienols,
alpha-, beta-, gamma- and delta. Of the eight naturally occurring
forms of vitamin E, it appears that only naturally occuring
alpha-tocopherol (commonly known as d-alpha-tocopherol) is
maintained in the human blood circulation. Synthetic
alpha-tocopherol is commonly known as d1-alpha-tocopherol.
To obtain Vitamin E from the diet, a person must be able to digest
and absorb fats properly. This is because Vitamin E is a
fat-soluble vitamin. Vitamin E is essential for the proper
functioning of many different body systems. It is required by the
nervous system to maintain many of the nerves in the body and
spinal cord in good working order; it is necessary for the normal
production of red blood cells; it is essential for normal
reproduction; it is required for the health of the muscle cells and
it is required for the proper function of the cells in the heart.
Vitamin E may also help reduce the risks of atherosclerosis (the
formation of fatty plaques on the walls of the blood vessels that
causes heart disease).
and absorb fats properly. This is because Vitamin E is a
fat-soluble vitamin. Vitamin E is essential for the proper
functioning of many different body systems. It is required by the
nervous system to maintain many of the nerves in the body and
spinal cord in good working order; it is necessary for the normal
production of red blood cells; it is essential for normal
reproduction; it is required for the health of the muscle cells and
it is required for the proper function of the cells in the heart.
Vitamin E may also help reduce the risks of atherosclerosis (the
formation of fatty plaques on the walls of the blood vessels that
causes heart disease).
Vitamin E is believed to be safe when taken in high doses by most
people. People who are taking warfarin or other anti-clotting
drugs, herbs or nutritional supplements should seek medical advice
before taking Vitamin E supplements, as Vitamin E can interfere
with blood clotting time.
people. People who are taking warfarin or other anti-clotting
drugs, herbs or nutritional supplements should seek medical advice
before taking Vitamin E supplements, as Vitamin E can interfere
with blood clotting time.
MEDICAL USE
Heart Disease. Vitamin C and vitamin E, taken in combination,
help to stabilise LDL cholesterol in the body. This may help to
reduce the risk of atherosclerosis. Clincal studies indicate that
this benefit may be greater in smokers than non-smokers.Vitamin E
has been shown in clinical trials to have a protective effect on
the heart and a blood pressure lowering effect in cases of mild
Hypertension.
help to stabilise LDL cholesterol in the body. This may help to
reduce the risk of atherosclerosis. Clincal studies indicate that
this benefit may be greater in smokers than non-smokers.Vitamin E
has been shown in clinical trials to have a protective effect on
the heart and a blood pressure lowering effect in cases of mild
Hypertension.
Stroke. Vitamin E may also reduce the chances of stroke in
people who are considered to be at high risk of suffering this
condition. Vitamin E may also improve resistance against infection
by boosting the immune system’s responses.
people who are considered to be at high risk of suffering this
condition. Vitamin E may also improve resistance against infection
by boosting the immune system’s responses.
Alzheimer’s disease. Vitamin E may also help to slow the
progression of Alzheimer’s Disease.
progression of Alzheimer’s Disease.
DEFICIENCY
The main signs of Vitamin E deficiency are reproductive
failure, muscular wasting, anaemia, poor immunity and problems with
the nervous system such as poor reflexes, poor coordination of the
eye muscles and unsteadiness when walking. Vitamin E deficiency may
also contribute to cardiovascular diseases, including
atherosclerosis, as well as an increased risk of certain
cancers.
failure, muscular wasting, anaemia, poor immunity and problems with
the nervous system such as poor reflexes, poor coordination of the
eye muscles and unsteadiness when walking. Vitamin E deficiency may
also contribute to cardiovascular diseases, including
atherosclerosis, as well as an increased risk of certain
cancers.
SOURCES
Vitamin E is found in plants, animals and in some green, brown
and blue/green algae. The richest sources of the vitamin are found
in unrefined edible vegetable oil, including wheat germ, safflower,
sunflower, cottonseed, canola and olive oils. In these oils,
approximately 50 percent of the tocopherol content is in the form
of alpha-tocopherol. Soybean and corn oils contain about ten times
more gamma-tocopherol than alpha-tocopherol. Palm, ricebran and
coconut oils are rich sources of tocotrienols. Alpha-tocopherol is
the major form of vitamin E in animal products and is found mainly
in the fatty portion of the meat. Other foods containing vitamin E
include unrefined cereal grains, fruits, nuts and vegetables.
and blue/green algae. The richest sources of the vitamin are found
in unrefined edible vegetable oil, including wheat germ, safflower,
sunflower, cottonseed, canola and olive oils. In these oils,
approximately 50 percent of the tocopherol content is in the form
of alpha-tocopherol. Soybean and corn oils contain about ten times
more gamma-tocopherol than alpha-tocopherol. Palm, ricebran and
coconut oils are rich sources of tocotrienols. Alpha-tocopherol is
the major form of vitamin E in animal products and is found mainly
in the fatty portion of the meat. Other foods containing vitamin E
include unrefined cereal grains, fruits, nuts and vegetables.
DOSAGE
The recommended dietary intake (RDI) for Vitamin E (in the
form of dl-alpha tocopherol) is 10 mg per day for adult males and 7
mg per day for adult females, although women that are lactating
require 9.5 mg per day. Note that 1 international unit (1 IU) of
Vitamin E is equivalent to 1 mg of dl-alpha tocopheryl
acetate.
form of dl-alpha tocopherol) is 10 mg per day for adult males and 7
mg per day for adult females, although women that are lactating
require 9.5 mg per day. Note that 1 international unit (1 IU) of
Vitamin E is equivalent to 1 mg of dl-alpha tocopheryl
acetate.