DESCRIPTION/FUNCTION

• Vitamin E is classified as a fat-soluble vitamin. The vitamin E family contains eight members, in two groups: tocopherols (alpha, beta, gamma, delta) and tocotrienols (alpha, beta, gamma, delta). A strong antioxidant, vitamin E may help prevent oxidation of unsaturated fatty acids and vitamin A in the intestinal tract and body tissues. Vitamin E also protects red blood cells from hemolysis, and has roles in reproduction (in animals), epithelial tissue maintenance, and prostaglandin synthesis.

DRI (RDA or AI for Adults)

• 15 mg natural E (2R-isomers) or 30 mg synthetic E (2S-isomers).
• Lactation: 19 mg natural E or 38 mg synthetic E.
• Multiply mg by 1.49 to convert to IU.

MAJOR SOURCES

• Wheat germ oil, nut and seed oils, nuts and seeds.
• Specifically: wheat germ oil, sunflower seeds, filberts, sunflower oil, hazelnut/filbert oil, peanuts, almond oil, Brazil nuts, grapeseed oil, almonds, pistachios, peanut butter, turkey liver, cod liver oil.

MAINTENANCE/THERAPEUTIC RANGE

• 100 IU to 1,000 IU (natural form).

POSSIBLE THERAPEUTIC APPLICATIONS

• Angina pectoris
• Asthma
• Cancer (bladder, gastric, prostate)
• Cataracts
• Coronary heart disease
• Immune function
• Infertility (male)
• Macular degeneration
• Memory loss
• Neuropathy
• Osteoarthritis
• Parkinson’s disease
• Poor circulation
• Premenstrual syndrome
• Retinopathy
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Stroke (ischemic)

COMMENTS

• The more you take, the lower the percentage absorbed. Therefore, although vitamin E is fat-soluble and is stored in the body, it is better to take smaller doses several times per day. The natural form (d-, not dl-) is more biologically active. Most research has been done using alpha-tocopherol. There is growing interest in other members of the vitamin E family (gamma-tocopherol and the tocotrienols).

CAUTIONS

• Consult with your health practitioner if you are taking blood thinning medication, have a bleeding disorder, or have suffered a recent stroke (hemorrhagic type).