Vitamin E - Benefits, Deficiency Symptoms And Food Sources

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin present in manyor radiation can also be protected with additional
foods, especially certain fats and oils. It is one of avitamin E supplementation.
number of nutrients called antioxidants. Some otherRecommended Dosage for Vitamin E
well known antioxidants include vitamin C andThe recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for
beta-carotene. Antioxidants are nutrients that blockvitamin E is quite low, 15 mg to 20 International Units (IU)
some of the damage caused by toxic by-productsper day. The most commonly prescribed dosage of
released when the body transforms food into energysupplemental vitamin E for adults is approximately 300
or fights off infection. The build up of theseto 800 IU per day.
by-products over time is largely responsible for theFood sources of Vitamin E
aging process and can contribute to the developmentFood source of vitamin E are wheat germ oil,
of various health conditions such as heart disease,sunflower oil, hazelnut, walnut oil, Peanut oil, chestnut,
cancer, and a host of inflammatory conditions likecoconut, tomatoes, carrots, soybean oil, olive oil, peanut,
arthritis. Antioxidants provide some protection againstpollard, corn, asparagus, oats, soybean.
these conditions and also help reduce the damage toDeficiency Symptoms of Vitamin E
the body caused by toxic chemicals and pollutants.Vitamin E deficiency affects the central nervous
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin that exists in eightsystem and may result in progressive neuromuscular
different forms. Each form has its own biologicaldisease characterized by loss of reflexes, muscle
activity, which is the measure of potency or functionalweakness, loss of balance and impaired ability to
use in the body. It present in many foods, especiallycoordinate voluntary movements (ataxia). Premature
certain fats and oils. Some members of the vitamin Einfants who have a vitamin E deficiency are at risk of
family are called tocopherols. These members includeseveral serious disorders. They may develop a form
alpha tocopherol, beta tocopherol, gamma tocopherol,of anemia in which red blood cells rupture (hemolytic
and delta tocopherol.anemia).
Functions and benefits of Vitamin EVitamin E deficiency is rare in humans. There are three
Vitamin E, a fat-soluble vitamin, is an antioxidant vitaminspecific situations when a vitamin E deficiency is likely
involved in the metabolism of all cells. It protects vitaminto occur.
A and essential fatty acids from oxidation in the body1. persons who cannot absorb dietary fat due to an
cells and prevents breakdown of body tissues.inability to secrete bile or with rare disorders of fat
The most important function of vitamin E is to maintainmetabolism are at risk of vitamin E deficiency;
the integrity of the body's intracellular membrane by2. individuals with rare genetic abnormalities in the
protecting its physical stability and providing a defensealpha-tocopherol transfer protein are at risk of vitamin
line against tissue damage caused by oxidation. ItE deficiency and
protects polyunsaturated fats and other3. premature, very low birth weight infants are at risk
oxygen-sensitive compounds such as vitamin A fromof vitamin E deficiency.
being destroyed by damaging oxidation reactions.Blood levels of vitamin E may also be decreased with
However, as with betacarotene, the effect of vitaminzinc deficiency. Vitamin E deficiency is usually
E in preventing heart disease may be bothcharacterized by neurological problems associated
timing-sensitive and dose sensitive. Vitamin E maywith nerve degeneration in hands and feet. These
protect the liver and the rest of the body againstsymptoms are also associated with other medical
environmental pollutants such as ozone and otherconditions.
constituents of smog. People receiving chemotherapy