vitamin e benefits
Vitamin E is an essential component for eyesight, reproduction, and the health of your blood, brain, and skin.
Vitamin E has antioxidant effects as well. Antioxidants are compounds that may protect your cells from the impacts of free radicals, which are molecules created by your body when it digests food or is exposed to cigarette smoke or radiation. Free radicals may have a role in cardiovascular disease, cancer, and other disorders. Keep in mind that if you take vitamin E for its antioxidant characteristics, the supplement may not provide the same advantages as naturally occurring antioxidants in food.
Vitamin E-rich foods include canola oil, olive oil, margarine, almonds, and peanuts. Meats, dairy, leafy greens, and fortified cereals are other good sources of vitamin E. Vitamin E is also available as a dietary supplement in the form of capsules or drops.
Nerve discomfort can be caused by a vitamin E deficiency (neuropathy).
The daily recommended dosage of vitamin E for people is 15 milligrams.
Evidence
According to research on the usage of vitamin E for various conditions:
- Alzheimer's. According to some studies, high-dose vitamin E may slow the course of Alzheimer's disease in persons with mild to severe Alzheimer's disease. This advantage has not been seen in other research. Supplementing with vitamin E appears to have little influence on whether patients with moderate cognitive impairment develop Alzheimer's disease.
- Disease of the liver. According to research, vitamin E may help with the symptoms of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Some research shows, however, that using oral vitamin E for this reason for two years is associated with insulin resistance.
- Preeclampsia. Increasing your vitamin E consumption has not been demonstrated to prevent this blood pressure-related pregnant problem.
Cancer of the prostate. - According to research, vitamin E and selenium supplements do not prevent prostate cancer. There is also concern that taking vitamin E supplements may increase one's risk of developing prostate cancer.
Caution
A well-balanced diet provides adequate vitamin E for the majority of individuals. Some study shows that if you have mild to severe Alzheimer's disease, vitamin E treatment may help halt disease development.
However, taking vitamin E orally may raise the risk of prostate cancer. Other major hazards can be posed by using the supplement, especially at large dosages, and if you have other health concerns or have had a heart attack or stroke.
Side effects and safety
Oral vitamin E usage is usually regarded safe when taken in suitable dosages. In rare cases, taking vitamin E orally might result in:
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Cramps in the intestine
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Headache
- Vision hazard
- Rash
- Dysfunction of the testicles
- Increased creatine concentration in the urine (creatinuria)
Higher vitamin E dosages may raise the risk of adverse effects. There is also worry that those in poor health who take high dosages of vitamin E are more likely to die.
The use of vitamin E can interact with a variety of illnesses. For example, studies show that taking vitamin E orally may raise the risk of prostate cancer. Another study indicates that taking vitamin E may raise the risk of mortality in patients who have a history of serious cardiac diseases, such as a heart attack or stroke. If you have any of the following conditions, see your doctor before taking vitamin E:
- a lack of vitamin K
- A disorder of the eyes in which the retina is destroyed (retinitis pigmentosa)
- Disorders of bleeding
- Diabetes
- Previous history of a heart attack or stroke
- Cancer of the head and neck
- Illness of the liver
The supplement may raise your chances of bleeding. If you're about to undergo surgery, you should cease taking vitamin E two weeks prior. Also, discuss vitamin E usage with your doctor if you are planning to undergo or have just had a treatment to unblock clogged arteries and restore normal blood flow to your heart muscle (angioplasty).
Interactions
Some medications might lower your vitamin E levels. Interactions that may occur include:
- Anti-tumor antibiotics and alkylating agents There is worry that excessive vitamin E dosages may interfere with the administration of certain chemotherapy medicines.
- Herbs and supplements, as well as anticoagulants and antiplatelet medications The use of vitamin E in conjunction with certain blood clotting medications, medicines, and supplements may increase the risk of bleeding.
- Substrates for Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4). When using vitamin E and other medicines that are impacted by these enzymes, such as omeprazole, use care (Prilosec, Zegerid).
- Niacin and statins. Taking vitamin E alongside statins or niacin, which may assist persons with high cholesterol, may diminish the efficacy of niacin.
- K-vitamin. Taking vitamin E alongside vitamin K may reduce the effects of vitamin K.
Can I take vitamin E every day?
When taken orally, vitamin E is probably safe for most persons at levels less than 1000 mg daily. This is equivalent to 1100 IU of synthetic vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) or 1500 IU of natural vitamin E. (RRR-alpha-tocopherol). With increasing dosages, the danger of adverse effects increases.