Vitamin E - Benefits, Deficiency Symptoms And Food Sources

Vitamin E was discovered at UC Berkeley more than 80 years ago and has been a star among nutrients for two decades now. Vitamin E, is a fat-soluble vitamin in eight forms that is an important antioxidant. Vitamin E is often used in skin creams and lotions because it is claimed by the manufacturers to play a role in encouraging skin healing and reducing scarring after injuries such as burns.

Natural vitamin E exists in eight different forms or isomers, four tocopherols and four tocotrienols. All isomers have a chromanol ring, with a hydroxyl group which can donate a hydrogen atom to reduce free radicals and a hydrophobic side chain which allows for penetration into biological membranes.

Functions and benefits of Vitamin E

Vitamin E is an antioxidant that protects body tissue from damage caused by unstable substances called free radicals. Free radicals can harm cells, tissues, and organs, and they are believed to be one of the causes of the degenerative processes seen in aging.

Vitamin E is also important in the formation of red blood cells and it helps the body to use vitamin K.

A 1998 study by the National Cancer Institute found that long-term use of vitamin E substantially reduced prostate cancer risk in smokers. Other studies suggest that this vitamin may slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease. Thus far, vitamin E has been shown to protect against approximately eighty diseases.

Recommended Dosage for Vitamin E

The minimum Recommended Dosage Allowance of Vitamin E are :-

• Adults - 200 IU (5 mcg ).
• Pregnant women - 400 IU (10 mcg ).

Food sources of Vitamin E

• Wheat germ oil
• Sunflower oil
• Hazelnut
• Walnut oil
• Peanut oil
• Soybean oil;
• Olive oil
• Peanut
• Pollard
• Corn
• Asparagus
• Oats
• Soybean
• Chestnut
• Coconut
• Tomatoes
• Carrots

Deficiency Symptoms of Vitamin E

Deficiency symptoms for vitamin E are difficult to pinpoint and controversial in the research literature. The area of broadest agreement involves malabsorption. In many research studies, low levels of vitamin E are associated with digestive system problems where nutrients are poorly absorbed from the digestive tract. These problems include pancreatic disease, gallbladder disease, liver disease, and celiac disease.

A second area of focus for vitamin E deficiency symptoms is called peripheral neuropathy. This area focuses on nervous system problems in the arms, hands, legs, and feet. Pain, tingling, and loss of sensation in these extremities have been associated with vitamin E deficiency.