Vitamin E - A Powerful Antioxidant: Benefits and Proper Use

Overview

Vitamin E may aid in the protection of your cells from damage. This vital nutrient is found naturally in a variety of foods. It is also sold as a dietary supplement and can sometimes be found in processed foods.

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin. This implies that your body stores it and then uses it as needed.

Key Benefits

A powerful antioxidant that contributes to the production of collagen that helps reduce wrinkles and fine lines.
When combined with lutein and zeaxanthin, it delays cataract formation and early macular degeneration.
Helps in treating Alzheimer’s disease.
Good for your heart.
With the right dosage, it can treat osteoarthritis inflammation.
Boosts immune system.
Repairs damaged cells and heal scars.
Works as a blood thinner that prevents blood clots.
Prevents early graying of hair.
Provides nourishment to nails.
Protects nutrients in the body from free radicals.

History of Usage

In 1922, researchers from the University of California, Herbert Evans and Katherine Bishop discovered vitamin E in green leafy vegetables.

This powerful antioxidant is very popular in the health and beauty products industry as a sunscreen and skin protection agent. It also has many other uses in the diet and cosmetics industry, including as an immune system booster, pain relief, and anti-aging activity. It is derived from vegetable seeds and oilseeds. Furthermore, it is produced abundantly by plants during the summer months.

Biochemistry

The vitamin is fat-soluble; however, like any other vitamin, it is also secreted in the fat tissue. Vitamin E-rich foods include sunflower, peanut, olives, sesame, avocado, wheat germ, dairy products (cheese, yogurt, milk, etc.), flaxseed, fish, poultry, red meat, seeds, vegetables, and fruits.

There are two types of vitamin E – Tocopherols and Tocotrienols – that collectively have 8 forms named with prefixes such as alpha, beta, gamma, and delta. Alpha-tocopherol is what humans consume and require.

A-Tocopherol

A-tocopherol is a fat-soluble molecule responsible for preventing free radicals from destroying (through oxidation) fats in the body. Fats are essential for cell membranes and are very vital for our bodies, hence why it’s a vitamin.

Another function of alpha-tocopherol includes inhibiting the activity of protein kinase C. Protein kinase C is a vital molecule for cell signaling. The activity of enzymes in immunological and inflammatory cells also is affected by alpha-tocopherol.

Gamma-Tocopherol (y-tocopherol)

The most frequent type of vitamin E in the North American diet is gamma-tocopherol. Surprisingly, its quantity in the bloodstream is about one-tenth that of alpha-tocopherol. This is because alpha-tocopherol reduces gamma-tocopherol levels. Although gamma-tocopherol has been linked to an increased risk of prostate cancer, it may also work as an antioxidant.

Recent Trends

Vitamin supplements come in many forms, including chewable tablets, ready-to-use health drinks, and liquid dietary substitutes. Healthcare providers will discuss which nutritional vitamins and supplements are best for a particular person’s needs.

Nutritional supplements can be purchased online, over the phone, or in person at a healthcare provider’s office. Some people find it more convenient to purchase their nutritional vitamins and supplements at their local drugstore, while others prefer to purchase supplements online.

Precautions

Most vitamin e-health supplement manufacturers use a process called “hydrolysis” to convert the vitamin into its liquid and tablet form. However, the manufacturing process of vitamins is not without some risk or danger to the user. The hydrolysis process releases some antioxidant properties of the vitamin. It also produces toxic byproducts such as acetone and oxalate.

Consult Your Healthcare Provider

If you are planning to take a vitamin E health supplement, it is always best to consult with your healthcare provider before taking any new medications. Your healthcare provider can recommend the appropriate dosage and the type of vegetable soft gel capsule that will give you the most benefit. It is very important to follow all the directions indicated in your medicine labels and package. Disclose to your healthcare providers your medical history and your current health conditions and if you have existing allergies or have been taking any kind of medicines.

Excessive Consumption of Vitamin E

Some studies have suggested that excessive consumption of vitamin E health supplements may lead to cancer and cardiovascular disease. It is believed by researchers that prolonged use of vegetable soft gels may cause kidney problems and certain types of cancers.

You should also be aware that just because a certain brand of supplement causes no side effects for one person, it does not mean it will not cause problems for you. You should follow all of your doctor’s instructions when taking any medication. While there has not been enough research done to show a connection between vitamin supplements and cancer or cardiovascular disease, anyone who takes them for a long period may be at risk for deficiency.

Vitamin E Deficiency

Vitamin E deficiency can result from a poor diet, lack of sleep, obesity, and poor health practices. Children, pregnant women, and people who smoke are at an increased risk for vitamin E deficiency. Many people may not know that they are deficient in vitamin E. They take vitamin supplements regularly without realizing that they could be harming their bodies.

Consuming too many vitamins can be harmful, as excess vitamins can be stored in the fat cells where it can lead to obesity, increase cholesterol levels, and cause vitamin E deficiency.

Taking vitamin E nutritional supplements can prevent vitamin E deficiency, but it is important to get enough from food sources alone.

There are many reasons why a person would need to use a vitamin supplement. If you think that you may have a vitamin deficiency, talking to your healthcare provider about taking any nutritional vitamins and supplements may help. Remember, any vitamin supplement must have been taken in conjunction with a balanced diet and regular exercise.

Birth Defects in Animals

There have also been some reports of birth defects in some animals. The majority of the animal studies did not indicate a definite cause-of-mood or reproductive problem. However, these studies were not performed on humans.