We’ll focus on one important nutrient – vitamin E. In this article, we’ll demystify vitamin E and explore its many health benefits, potential side effects, and rich food sources. Join me on this informative journey to learn why Vitamin E is truly an essential player in our health and wellness game.
What is Vitamin E?
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin, which means it’s stored in our bodies for use when needed. It plays a crucial role as a potent antioxidant, helping protect our cells from damage caused by free radicals. These free radicals are unstable molecules that can harm cellular structures, contributing to aging and disease.
There are eight different forms of Vitamin E, but the form that is most useful to humans is called alpha-tocopherol. This form is the most active in our bodies and is the type often found in multivitamins and dietary supplements.
Vitamin E is essential for many processes in the body. It supports immune function, helps dilate blood vessels to prevent blood clotting, and contributes to skin, eye and heart health. It is also known to have anti-inflammatory properties.
Getting enough vitamin E is crucial. Men need about 4 mg per day and women about 3 mg per day. This requirement increases to 15 mg per day for adults and nursing women.
Health Benefits
Powerful Antioxidant
Vitamin E is a potent antioxidant that fights harmful free radicals that cause cell damage. By neutralizing these free radicals, Vitamin E helps protect our cells and reduce oxidative stress, which is linked to many chronic diseases, including cancer and heart disease.
Skin Health
Vitamin E is our skin’s friend! It aids in skin repair, wound healing and hydration for healthier, glowing skin. It also helps protect skin from sun damage and aging.
Immune Booster
Your immune system is your body’s defense mechanism, and vitamin E is one of its soldiers. Getting enough vitamin E is essential for maintaining a strong immune system, especially in older adults.
Heart Health
Vitamin E helps keep your heart healthy by preventing the formation of blood clots and widening blood vessels. This can lower the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Eye Health
The antioxidant properties of Vitamin E also benefit our eyes. Vitamin E, combined with other nutrients, may slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of vision loss in older adults.
Cognitive Health
There is evidence that Vitamin E may help slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. More research is needed, but these findings are promising!
Side Effects
Nausea and Diarrhea
High doses of Vitamin E may cause gastrointestinal problems such as nausea and diarrhea. These symptoms usually occur when taking large amounts of Vitamin E.
Fatigue and Weakness
Some people who consume large amounts of Vitamin E may experience fatigue, weakness or other flu-like symptoms.
Blood Thinning
Vitamin E has anti-clotting properties, which can be beneficial for heart health. However, when taken in excess, it could increase the risk of bleeding, especially if you’re also taking blood-thinning medications.
Vision Changes
High levels of Vitamin E are associated with an increased risk of age-related macular degeneration in people who already have the disease.
Food Sources
Animal-Based Food Sources of Vitamin E
Plant-Based Food Sources of Vitamin E
Other Vitamin E Sources
Best Overall: Primal Harvest Multivitamin at Amazon ($30)
Best Seller: Nature Made Vitamin E at Amazon ($18)
Best Budget: NatureBell Vitamin E at Amazon ($22)
Best Overall: Primal Harvest Multivitamin
- Multivitamin for Men and Women: Our pure daily A, C, D, E, K, B6, B12 plus Biotin vitamin mineral blend is designed to help support energy & overall wellness.
- 21 Key Vitamins and Minerals: Simplify your day and diet, Primal Multivitamin makes nutritional support both convenient and enjoyable, with one a day easy-to-swallow capsule.
- Energy & Antioxidants: Formulated with high potency antioxidants, like vitamin E and vitamin C, to help keep your skin feeling healthy, balanced, and vibrant. Make it a ritual and remember to take it daily.
- Made in the USA, Highest Quality Manufacturing: Each product undergoes vigorous lab testing at multiple stages. Third-party lab tested for authenticity, purity, and to check for contaminants.
- 100% Satisfaction Guarantee: Your satisfaction is our utmost priority. That’s why we provide a 90-day money-back guarantee, no questions asked.
- Brand: Primal Harvest
- Flavor: Unflavored
- Primary Supplement Type: Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Vitamin B12, Vitamin B6, Biotin, Zinc
- Item Form: Capsule
- Product Benefits: Energy Management, Antioxidant
Best Seller: Nature Made Vitamin E
- Antioxidant support supplement: contains one 300 count bottle of Nature Made Vitamin E 180 mg (400 IU) dl-Alpha Softgels for a 300-day supply.
- Provides 180 mg (400 IU) of Vitamin E, which is an antioxidant that helps neutralize free radicals in the body and supports a healthy immune system.
- This antioxidant supplement is the dl-Alpha form of Vitamin E, which supports the body’s natural immune defenses.
- Adults, take one Vitamin E softgel daily with water and a meal.
- Sourced from high-quality ingredients, these Nature Made Vitamin E 400 IU softgels are gluten free and contain no color added, no artificial flavors and no added preservatives.
- United States Pharmacopeia (USP) Verified, #1 Pharmacist Recommended Vitamin & Supplement Brand*.
- These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration; this product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
- Brand: Nature Made
- Flavor: Unflavored
- Primary Supplement Type: Vitamin E
- Item Form: Softgel
- Diet Type: Gluten Free
Best Budget: NatureBell Vitamin E Oil Softgels
- Extra strength vitamin E liquid oil softgels, 1,000mg per serving, high bioavailable dl-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate form, essential fat-soluble micronutrient antioxidant.
- 300 softgels per bottle, 2 softgel serving size, delivers 1,000iu top grade vitamin E per dose (500iu per softgel), long lasting 150-day supply.
- Enjoy daily antioxidant protection for both men and women, you may notice support for your skin complexion, heart health, brain function, and overall seasonal immune defense.
- Vitamin E in the form of dl-alpha tocopheryl acetate is a variant that is commonly used in supplements due to its stability and bioavailability.
- Authentic non-GMO vitamin E supplement. Contains pure ingredients free of wheat, soy, dairy, gluten, preservatives, and eggs. All products are also 3rd party lab tested for safety and potency.
- Brand: NatureBell
- Specific Uses For Product: Heart, Skin
- Item Form: Softgel
- Unit Count: 300.00 Count
Fun Facts
Fact 1: Vitamin E Isn’t Just One Vitamin
When we talk about Vitamin E, we’re actually referring to a group of eight different compounds. The most active one in our bodies is alpha-tocopherol.
Fact 2: First Discovered in Green Leafy Vegetables
Vitamin E was first discovered in 1922 from dietary factors in green leafy vegetables and is required for rat reproduction.
Fact 3: Rare to be Deficient in Developed Countries
Vitamin E deficiency is rare in healthy people and is usually associated with a specific genetic condition or disease that causes fat malabsorption.
Fact 4: Nuts and Seeds are Vitamin E Champions
When it comes to food sources, nuts and seeds, especially almonds and sunflower seeds are vitamin E champions.
Fact 5: Vitamin E’s Name Originates from ‘Tocopherol’
The name ‘tocopherol’ comes from the Greek words ‘tocos’ meaning childbirth, and ‘pherein’ meaning to bring forth. It was so named because it was necessary for fertility in rats in early studies.
