Vitamin e

What you need to know
VITAMIN E?
Kerry A McCullough
Kaplan 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 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).
INDICATIONS AND USES

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).
MINIMUM DAILY REQUIREMENT

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.
DEFICIENCY
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
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, INTERACTIONS

However, 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-Health
Professional/
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/U
singDietarySupplements/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-s
elenium-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

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What you need to know

INDICATIONS AND USES

MINIMUM DAILY REQUIREMENT

CONCERNS, SIDE EFFECTS, INTERACTIONS

CONCERNS, SIDE EFFECTS, INTERACTIONS

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