Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin that exists in many forms, but the human body only uses alpha-tocopherol. Vitamin E is an significant vitamin for the proper operation of many organs in the body. Its key function is to act as an antioxidant, scavenging loose electrons (free radicals) to cause cell damage. It helps to slow down cell damage processes.

Why is Vitamin E necessary?

Its prime function is to function as an antioxidant, scavenging loose electrons that can cause cell damage. It also increases immunity and stops blood clots from developing in the arteries of the heart. Vitamin E and other antioxidant vitamins gained popularity in the 1980s when scientists realized that free radical damage cause artery-clogging atherosclerosis and could also lead to cancer, vision loss, and a variety of other chronic conditions. Vitamin E has the potential to both protect cells from free radical damage and to fully stop free radical cell development.

Vitamin E deficiency:

Vitamin E deficiency is uncommon, and no overt signs of deficiency have been observed in healthy people who consume little vitamin E in their diets. Vitamin E deficiency can be present in premature babies with a birth weight of less than 1,500 grams. Vitamin E supplementation may lessen the threat of certain complications in premature children, such as those affecting the retina, but it may also increase the chance of infections.

Vitamin E deficiency is more common in people with fat malabsorption disorders. Vitamin E deficiency symptoms include skeletal myopathy, Peripheral neuropathy, ataxia, retinopathy, and immune dysfunction. Rare inherited disorders like abetalipoproteinemia and  Ataxia and Vitamin E deficiency result in nerve damage, blindness, and the ability to walk unless they take large doses of supplemental Vitamin E.

How can you Reach Your Daily Intake?

The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for Vitamin E for adults is 15mh per day. Along with Vitamin E supplement from the vitamin shop, Vitamin E rich food is enough to meet the daily requirement of Vitamin E. Margarine, Canola oil, olive oil, peanuts, and almonds are all high in Vitamin E. Leafy greens, Meats, dairy, and fortified cereals are all healthy sources of Vitamin E.

Side Effects and Warnings

A well-balanced diet provides adequate vitamin E for the majority of the population. Oral Vitamin E use is usually considered healthy when taken at recommended doses. Vitamin E taken orally can cause fatigue, nausea, abdominal cramps, headache, diarrhea, or blurred vision. Oral Vitamin E, on the other hand, can raise the risk of prostate cancer. Higher Vitamin E dosages can increase the risk of side effects. There is also fear that taking high doses of Vitamin E puts people in bad health at risk of death.  

Pearls of wisdom:

Most people get daily Vitamin E from a balanced diet. An excessive amount of Vitamin E can cause bleeding and other health issues, so consult your physician before starting Vitamin E supplements.