Vitamin E: Benefits, safety, and where to find it – Medical News Today

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble antioxidant in many foods. It supports the immune system, helps keep blood vessels healthy, and plays a role in gene expression and cell signaling.

There are eight forms of naturally occurring vitamin E, and alpha-tocopherol is the one that the body mainly uses.

In this article, we explore evidence of specific health benefits of vitamin E. We also look at food sources and supplements, including interactions and other risks.

Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant it helps protect the body from free radicals.

Free radicals are molecules generated as a normal part of metabolism. They can cause damage and disease and contribute to the aging process.

Additionally, vitamin E is important for immune function, gene expression, and cell signaling. It helps widen blood vessels and prevent excessive clotting.

Researchers have investigated whether vitamin E may also help prevent or treat specific conditions.

The results concerning many uses of the vitamin, including to help prevent cognitive decline, are conflicting or inconclusive.

Despite a general lack of strong conclusions, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) cite some research suggesting that vitamin E might have particular benefits for people with:

Various studies suggest that vitamin E can help prevent or delay coronary heart disease (CHD).

In vitro research indicates that vitamin E inhibits the formation of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and may thus help prevent blood clots. In addition, several observational studies associate lower rates of heart disease with higher vitamin E intakes.

However, some randomized clinical trials cast doubt on the ability of vitamin E supplements to help prevent CHD.

Overall, the NIH observe, determining whether vitamin E supplements benefit people with CHD will require more extended studies that include younger participants.

Vitamin E may help prevent age-related macular degeneration.

The NIH cite evidence that taking vitamin E with zinc, copper, and other antioxidants may slow the diseases progression in people with a high risk of an advanced form.

However, they acknowledge that the evidence supporting the use of vitamin E to treat or prevent eye disorders is inconsistent.

Researchers have investigated the antioxidant and immune-modulating effects of vitamin E on cancer. For example, an older study, from 2002, found that long-term vitamin E supplementation may reduce death from bladder cancer.

However, the NIH warn that there is currently not enough evidence to support taking vitamin E for cancer. They also report that it may increase the risk of prostate cancer.

The Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial found that males taking vitamin E had an increased risk of prostate cancer, but that participants who also took supplements of the trace mineral selenium did not have an increased risk.

Overall, a person should not take vitamin E or selenium supplements for cancer prevention, as researchers do not fully understand how these supplements work.

They are also unsure whether these supplements interact with foods, other supplements, and medicines.

The NIH warn of health risks associated with vitamin E supplements.

They cite research linking using high-dose vitamin E supplements to increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke, which results from bleeding in the brain, and prostate cancer.

They also report that vitamin E supplements may increase the risk of bleeding in people taking anticoagulant drugs such as warfarin (Coumadin).

In addition, the NIH warn that vitamin E supplements can interact with a combination of simvastatin and niacin, as well as with chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Authors of a 2015 review found that the available research does not support taking vitamin E supplements during pregnancy.

The nutrient does not help prevent pregnancy problems and may cause abdominal pain and early rupture of membranes, the team reports.

Research into vitamin E and lactation is scarce. Overall, anyone who is breastfeeding should speak with a healthcare professional before taking any supplements.

Vitamin E is in many foods and also available as a supplement.

A person can find vitamin E in:

Below, learn how much vitamin E is in specific foods:

Vitamin E supplements are available in natural or synthetic forms.

The NIH note that manufacturers usually label natural forms with the letter d, as in d-gamma-tocopherol. They label synthetic forms dl, as in dl-alpha-tocopherol.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have required manufacturers to list vitamin E quantities in milligrams (mg) since January 2020. Smaller companies may still use old labels listing the contents in international units (IU) until January 2021.

People can convert IU to mg using the following formulae:

People can convert mg to IU with the following formulae:

The recommended daily allowance, or RDA, of vitamin E varies, depending on a persons age and breastfeeding status:

Vitamin E is an important antioxidant nutrient that supports the immune system and the health of the blood and blood vessels. It is also involved in gene expression and cell signaling.

People usually get enough vitamin E from a healthful diet that contains adequate fats. Vitamin E-rich foods include nuts, seeds, and vegetable oils. However, health issues that affect the absorption of nutrients may cause a person to develop a deficiency.

Research into the capacity of vitamin E to prevent or treat specific health issues is generally conflicting. However, further studies may confirm suggested benefits for people with heart disease or age-related macular degeneration.

Anyone taking ongoing medication should check with a doctor before taking vitamin E supplements. Consulting an oncologist first is crucial for people who have cancer, especially if they are currently undergoing treatment.

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Vitamin E: Benefits, safety, and where to find it - Medical News Today