Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin with antioxidant properties.
Purpose: Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant that prevents premature reaction to oxygen in the body and the breakdown of many substances in the body. It neutralizes free radicals in the body that would otherwise cause damage to cells and tissue, while aiding in circulation, clotting, and healing. Some studies have even shown that vitamin E decreases symptoms of premenstrual syndrome and certain types of breast disease. Other studies have shown that taking large doses of vitamin E has decreased the risk of Coronary Artery Disease.
Vitamin E is also important in the formation of red blood cells and it helps the body use vitamin K. It also helps widen blood vessels and keep blood from clotting inside them.
Cells use vitamin E to interact with each other and carry out many important functions.
Sources: Most vegetable oils, wheat germ, soybean oil, raw seeds and nuts, egg yolk, whole grain products, beef liver, peanut butter, and unrefined cereal products are good sources of vitamin E.
Ten good sources are mustard greens, Swiss, kale and collard greens, nuts, tropical fruits,red bell peppers, broccoli, oils, and wheat.
Recommended Daily Allowance: Women need 8 mg and men require 10 mg of vitamin E on a daily basis. Though it’s almost impossible to have a vitamin E deficiency, too much can cause nausea and digestive track problems. Prolonged overexposure can lead to toxicity and other health problems. My multivitamin has 22.5 IU’s, which according to my calculations is 16.5 mg.
The highest safe level of vitamin E supplements for adults is 1,500 IU/day for natural forms of vitamin E, and 1,000 IU/day for the man-made (synthetic) form.
Too much vitamin E from supplements can lead to excessive bleeding, or hemorrhaging.
Here are some possible deficiency symptoms of Vitamin E in Adults: mild anemia, nonspecific neurological deficits, disorders related to reproduction and infertility, fragile red blood cells, age spots, cataracts, decline in sex drive, muscle or liver or bone marrow and brain function abnormalities.
It’s best if you discuss the choice of dosing and duration with a licensed healthcare professional.