Vitamin Supplements

Vitamin E has grabbed its share of headlines in recent years. In fact, few nutrients have been the subject of as much discussion as this one. According to the most zealous vitamin proponents, vitamin E is nothing short of a magic pill capable of everything from enhancing one’s sex life to stopping the aging process in its tracks.

You shouldn’t be surprised to learn that many of these claims have little if any scientific support behind them. Still, a growing body of evidence shows that vitamin E does have significant health benefits. This will help you sort scientific fact from fiction regarding this much-discussed vitamin.

Vitamin E and Body Functions

Vitamin E can neutralize the free radicals that are released constantly as the body utilizes oxygen, especially during times of physical stress. Without this type of intervention, these free radicals would damage cells and increase the probability that certain diseases or degenerative processes (such as cancer, cataracts, atherosclerosis, and aging) would occur.

In its role as an antioxidant, vitamin E protects the lungs against injury from air pollution. It also preserves tissues throughout the body and may impede the development of tumors. Because cell membranes throughout the body are made up of fatty acids— which are highly susceptible to oxidative attack—the antioxidative properties of vitamin E can keep these cells from being damaged. (Since vitamin E is fat-soluble, it functions most effectively in an environment like the cell membranes.)

Vitamin E works as an ally of vitamin A, vitamin C, and carotene, preventing their destruction through oxidation. Vitamin E itself appears to function more effectively if other antioxidants (such as vitamin C) are present.

Forms of Vitamin E

Vitamin E is actually a generic term for several fat-soluble compounds, collectively called tocopherols and tocotrienols. The term for the most common and active of the tocopherols, alpha-tocopherol, is often used interchangeably with vitamin E. The other tocopherols (such as beta-, delta-, and gamma-tocopherol) differ slightly in chemical structure and generally have lower vitamin E activity.

Vitamin EDeficiency

Serious vitamin E deficiencies tend to be rare in the United States. Not only is vitamin E common in most diets, but the body’s tissues store reserves of this nutrient. You must consume low levels of vitamin E for literally months to years, therefore, before signs of a deficiency occur.

When a vitamin E deficiency does occur, often in conjunction with inflammatory bowel disease, it can impair a number of bodily functions, including those involved with the reproductive system, nervous system, and muscle tissues. Some of the most common signs are loss of appetite; difficulty walking (which occurs when free radicals damage the cerebellum and brain stem, partly because antioxidants, such as vitamin E, are too scarce to protect the nerves); anemia (in which the life span of red blood cells is shortened because red blood cell membranes are susceptible to oxidative attack); mild gastrointestinal distress, such as nausea; eye problems, including cataracts and retinal problems; and impairment of the reproductive system, including testicular deterioration, fertility loss, and increased chance of fetal death (spontaneous abortion).

Vitamin E Overdose

When it comes to vitamin E, you don’t need to worry much about toxicity. Even in doses far above those recommended by the government, few problems have been associated with taking this vitamin. There are virtually no side effects of doses up to 800 IU. In many trials, doses up to 3,200 mg (or about 5,000 IU) per day have produced relatively few adverse effects.

Adverse reactions have been reported at extremely high doses. They have included fatigue; nausea; headache; double vision; weak muscles; breast tenderness in women; intestinal cramps and diarrhea, and emotional disturbances such as depression, fatigue, and mood swings. At high doses vitamin E can also interfere with the potency of anticoagulants, medications prescribed most often to prevent blood clotting in patients with heart disease.

More about: Vitamin E, Enhancing one’s Sex life to stopping the Aging process (Facts of function, form, Deficiency, Overdose)

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