Vitamin E

Tocopherol

Vitamin E is a fat soluble vitamin which exists in several forms, the one with the most powerful antioxidant properties is alpha-tocopherol.

Food Source for Vitamin E:

Wheatgerm oil, nuts, seeds, vegetable oils, wholegrains, egg yolks, and green leafy vegetables.

Vitamin E loss:

Over consumption of polyunsaturated vegetable oils, mineral oil, taking iron supplements at the same time of taking vitamin E, drinking chlorinated water, hydrogenation of vegetable oils , exposure to light, heat, and irradiation of food to increase the shelf life. 

Functions of Vitamin E:

Plays an important role as an antioxidant, protecting fatty acids against oxidization and rancidity, improves circulation, regulates the synthesis of sex hormones, improves athletic performance, promotes normal blood clotting and healing, maintains nerves and muscle, stabilizes cell membranes,

Deficiency signs of Vitamin E:

Rupturing of red blood cells, muscle wasting, impaired clotting, poor immunity, infertility, male and female, menstrual problems, spontaneous abortion, faulty fat absorption,  cystic fibrosis symptoms, biliary atresia, impaired proprioception, neuromuscular disorders, poor balance, gait disturbances, chronic pancreatitis, and pulmonary embolism.

Factors increasing the demand for Vitamin E:

Air pollution, contraceptive pill, radiation, pregnancy, lactation, cystic fibrosis, periodontal disease, genetic defects, athletes, coeliac disease, exposure to heavy metals, liver and gall bladder disease, excess consumption of polyunsaturated oils, vascular fragility, diabetes, breasts cysts, cancer, and aging.

Therapeutic use of Vitamin E:

Coronary thrombosis, heart disease, congenital heart defects, intermittent claudication, athletes, exposure to atmospheric pollutants, menopause, osteoarthritis, infertility,  muscle cramps, cancer therapy, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, arthritis, Parkinson's disease, menstrual problems,  fibrocystic breast disease, radiation therapy, varicose veins, phlebitis, neuromuscular disease, multiple sclerosis,  auto immune disease, liver , pancreas,and gall bladder disease.

Drug effects on Vitamin E:

Chlorine in tap water, oral contraceptives, aspirin, inorganic  iron supplements, mineral oil, adriamycin, nitrofurantoin, thyroxine, oxidants, epilepsy drugs, cholestyramine, neomycin, orlistat,and sucralfate.

Dosage and toxicity of Vitamin E:

RDA for adults 12 IU to 15 IU. No significant side effects have been found, however, caution is required when taking blood thinning medications such as Warfarin, herbs such as ginko biloba, both of these thin the blood as does vitamin E. People with bleeding disorders should seek medical advice before taking vitamin E, also those who have hypertensive disease. Patients taking thyroid hormone to treat underactive thyroid need to get a doctor's avice before taking vitamin E, for it may reduce the effectiveness of the thyroid hormone.

 Much has been reported about the effectiveness of Vitamin E for the treatment of muscular dystrophy, however, more recent research disagrees with the effectiveness of Vitamin E for this disease. Many claims have been made for the use of vitamin E creams to treat aging skin, research negates this claim, as it does for the treatment of superficial scars. 

Read more:Vitamin K