VITAMIN E?What you need to know

Kerry A McCulloughKaplan University

VITAMIN E

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble compound that acts as an antioxidant in the body by protecting against oxidation by free radicals. According to Obeid and Herrmann (2011), the mechanisms of action for vitamin E are unknown and only the α-tocopherol version of vitamin E is required by humans and animals.

SOURCES

Vitamin E can be found in vegetable oils, unprocessed cereal grains, fruits, nuts, vegetables, and meat (Institute of Medicine, 2000).

Vitamin E is one of several vitamins considered essential to cell growth, and body metabolism (Johns Hopkins, 2004). It has been shown to prevent fetal resoption in rats (Evans and Bishop (1922) as reported by Obeid and Herrmann, 2011).

Vitamin E has also been used to alleviate side effects associated with chemotherapy (Schlenker & Roth, 2011).

INDICATIONS AND USES

The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of vitamin E, according to the Institute of Medicine (2000), is the same for men and women (ages 14+), and is 15 mg daily with an upper limit of 1000 mg.

Hoffer and Saul (2008) suggest that the optimum dose of vitamin E varies with the individual, and that supplementary vitamin E may be required as, “You cannot get even 100 IU per day from the most well-designed of un-supplemented diets.”

MINIMUM DAILY REQUIREMENT

Obeid and Herrmann (2011) have stated that deficiency in vitamin E is rare in humans, and “only as a result of genetic abnormalities” (2011). However, according to Schlenker and Roth (2011), hemolytic anemia is a vitamin E deficiency disease.

DEFICIENCY

DEFICIENCY

Other situations in which vitamin E deficiency can cause serious issues is with the nervous system, which may affect physical movement and disruption of the myelin that protects nerve cell axons, thereby affecting messages to the muscles (Schlenker & Roth, 2011).

CONCERNS, SIDE EFFECTS, INTERACTIONS

There appears to be no evidence of adverse side effects from consuming natural sources of vitamin E from food (Institute of Medicine, 2000). However, the Institute of Medicine has suggested that, “Adverse effects from Vitamin E containing supplements may include hemorrhagic toxicity” (2000).

A study conducted by Johns Hopkins Medicine (2004) has shown high-dose vitamin E supplementation (400 IU or more per day) to increase the risk of death in older adults (over age 60).

CONCERNS, SIDE EFFECTS, INTERACTIONSHowever, Schlenker and Roth (2011) state that

daily intakes of up to 3200 mg of a-tocoperhol, continued for just a few weeks, does not produce any side effects. Schlenker and Roth (2011) also indicate that intake above the upper limits may affect blood clotting.

CONCLUSION

Vitamin E seems to be a safe supplement to a healthy diet if used with caution. However, if considering its use, a consultation with a health professional would be in order to address any issues with drug interaction or complications that may arise due to existing health conditions.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements provides helpful information in the form of a Vitamin E Fact Sheet (2013) that may be found at http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminE-HealthProfessional/

Visit the U.S. Food and Drug Administration website for information on this and other vitamins and supplements at http://www.fda.gov/Food/DietarySupplements/UsingDietarySupplements/ucm110567.htm

REFERENCES

Hoffer, A. Saul, A. (2008). Orthomolecular Medicine for Everyone. Laguna Beach, CA: Basic Health Publications, Inc.

Institute of Medicine. (2000). Dietary Reference Intakes for vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, and carotenoids. Retrieved from http://www.iom.edu/reports/2000/dietary-reference-intakes-for-vitamin-c-vitamin-e-selenium-and-carotenoids.aspx

Institute of Medicine. (2000). Dietary Reference Intakes: Vitamins. Retrieved from http://www.iom.edu/~/media/Files/Activity%20Files/Nutrition/DRIs/DRI_Vitamins.pdf

Johns Hopkins Medicine. (2004). Study shows high-dose vitamin E supplements may increase risk of dying. Retrieved from http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/press_releases/2004/11_10_04.html

National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. (2013). Vitamin E Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. Retrieved from http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminE-HealthProfessional/

Obeid, R., & Herrmann, W. (2011). Vitamins in the Prevention of Human Diseases. Berlin: De Gruyter.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2002). Tips for Dietary Supplement Users Making Informed Decisions and Evaluating Information. Retrieved from http://www.fda.gov/Food/DietarySupplements/UsingDietarySupplements/ucm110567.htm

Schlenker, Roth. (2011). Williams' Essentials of Nutrition and Diet Therapy [VitalSouce bookshelf version]. Retrieved from http://online.vitalsource.com/books/978-0-323-06860-4/id/B9780323068604000074_b0105