The Health Benefits of Vitamin E: An Important Nutrient for Your Body
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a nutrient that is comprised of a family of eight antioxidants, four tocotrienols and four tocopherols. Within this group there are alpha, beta, gamma and delta forms. The alpha-tocopherol is the most notable form found in human blood and tissues. It is a fat-soluble vitamin that protects essential fatty acids and vitamin A from oxidation, prevents the breakdown of body tissues, and more. The natural sources of vitamin E are better than synthetic forms of this vitamin because it is more available for use in the body than its synthetic version. Always look for d-alpha versus dl-alpha tocopherol, because even thought the dl is lower in cost for supplements, this form is much less potent.
Vitamin E can also be found naturally in foods. Choose cold-pressed vegetable oils (olive, soybean, canola, corn, sunflower), avocado, dark green leafy vegetables, legumes, nuts (almond, hazelnut, peanut), seeds and whole grains. A significant amount of this vitamin is found in brown rice, cornmeal, eggs, kelp, desiccated liver, milk, oatmeal, sweet potatoes, soybeans, wheat and wheat germ.
How Vitamin E Helps the Body
Heart Disease
Vitamin E plays a role in heart disease prevention. It limits the oxidation of LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol that promotes blockage in the arteries). With the help of vitamin E, this process can be delayed. Also, it has been shown to reduce the chance of myocardial infarction (heart attack) in both healthy men and women that consumed vitamin E on a daily basis.
Cancer Prevention
Vitamin E helps protect against damaging effects (oxidative damage to DNA) caused by free radicals. This damage is believed to be a cause of many types of cancer. It may also block formation of nitrosamines (organic compounds, some of which are cancer-causing chemicals). Vitamin E improves immune function which may protect one from developing cancer. According to one study involving premenopausal women, those who took the most vitamin E had a significantly lower incidence of breast cancer.
Cataracts
A cataract is a growth on the lens of the eye. This growth clouds vision and can also cause blindness. A study was performed and lens clarity was better in people that consumed vitamin E supplements on a regular basis. Age-related macular degeneration has also been helped with the consumption of vitamin E.
Improves Skin and Hair
Other health benefits of vitamin E include keeping the skin and hair healthy. Vitamin E increases blood circulation to the scalp. This increase of blood circulation to the scalp has helped people with the regrowth of their hair. Vitamin E also reduces the amount of hair breakage and helps improve the overall health of hair.
Vitamin E can improve your skin by destroying free radicals caused by environmental pollutants. It can destroy the cells in the skin that lead to damaged skin. This vitamin helps protect the skin from sun damage. Sun damage reduces the production of collagen which leads to the loss of elasticity and the formation of wrinkles.
Can Consuming Too Much Vitamin E Cause a Health Risk?
The health risk of having too much vitamin E is low but high levels can cause health issues. Consuming a high dose of vitamin E can cause an interfering effect to the absorption and metabolism of vitamins A and K. An increased amount can also act as an anti-coagulant (blood thinner) and cause a person to have bleeding problems. A person taking blood thinners or people that are vitamin K deficient should not take vitamin E supplements without medical supervision.
References
NIH Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet- Vitamin E - https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/vitamine/
About.com: Vitamin E Shows Heart Health Benefit - www.nutrition.about.com/od/therapeuticnutrition1/a/women_vitamin_e.htm
Not Alone: Vitamin E: Uses and Health Benefits - https://www.enotalone.com/article/9434.html
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