Description
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Vitamin E is a vitamin which is involved in maintaining the integrity, function, and flexibility of cell membranes. It
stabilizes the cell membrane, which is a necessary feature for ensuring cell health. Vitamin E also serves an
important antioxidant function in the body, which means that it prevents harmful substances, called free radicals,
from attacking and damaging the cell membrane. (See also, "Antioxidants")
Functions
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Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant, inhibits coagulation, strengthens capillary walls, stabilizes cell membranes,
prevents proteins, lipids, hormones (such as pituitary and adrenal), and other substances from being oxidized,
and promotes proper functioning of linoleic acid, an unsaturated fatty acid.
Possible Effects of Deficiency
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Premature aging, cardiovascular and circulatory problems, impotence, heart and nervous disorders, weakened
immune system, PMS, infertility, fibrocystic breast disease, menopause, eczema, and menorrhagia (heavy
menstrual flow)
Clinical Applications/Research
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Principle uses include: antioxidant, inhibits coagulation, strengthens capillary walls, stabilizes cell membranes,
prevents proteins, lipids, hormones (such as pituitary and adrenal), and other substances from being oxidized;
useful in all diseases either caused by free radical damage or resulting in free radical damage (especially
diabetes and eye disorders), skin conditions, menopause, restless leg syndrome, and prevention of heart
disease.
Useful in all diseases either caused by free radical damage or resulting in free radical damage (especially
Vitamin E and glucose control:
The president of the American Diabetes Association has noted that supplementation of diabetic patients with
vitamins E and C can ameliorate the disease symptoms. It is thought that the ability of vitamin E to stabilize the
cell membrane and protect the flexibility helps the mobilization and utilization of the insulin receptors. In an
issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (June, 1994), twenty elderly subjects were studied for glucose
control. Those receiving 900 mg of vitamin E for four months had their glucose disposal "significantly
potentiated", and the authors concluded that, "Plasma vitamin E concentrations seem to play an important role
in the modulation of insulin action in elderly people." Thus, one can hypothesize that daily oral vitamin E
supplements might improve the physical state of plasma membranes and their related activities as
insulin-mediated glucose transport" (AJCN, June, 1994, p. 1295).
Clinical Applications/Research
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Vitamin E and female concerns:
Vitamin E regulates prostaglandin production (hormone-like substances which can cause inflammation and
muscle cramping) and can alleviate menstrual cramps (Werbach, M., M.D., Healing Through Nutrition, Harper
Collins Publishers, NY, 1993 p. 252; Eaton, John MD. Vitamin E use in Neurology. The Western Journal of
Medicine, May 1989;150(5).
Vitamin E is reported to alleviate many of the symptoms of menopause, from vaginal dryness and hot flashes, to
breast tenderness and nervousness. "Vitamin E is a hormone normalizer... appears to have a stabilizing effect
on estrogen levels, increasing the hormone output in women who are deficient and lowering it in those who are
prone to excess" (Ojeda, Linda, PhD. Menopause without Medicine. Hunter House Publ., Alameda Ca. 1989).
Dr. M. Werbach, MD, cites several trials from the 40's and early 50's, which found that alpha tocopherol given in
doses of between 20 and 100 mg from one week to several months reduced the vasomotor symptoms (such as
hot flashes) and other menopausal complaints of most of the women being treated (Werbach, MR, MD.
Nutritional influences on illness: menopausal symptoms. Int J of Alt & Comp Med, July 1994;19). Improvement
included proliferation of new blood vessels in the vaginal wall. In one of the studies, symptoms reocurred when
vitamin E supplementation was stopped.
Vitamin E and heart disease:
When the red blood cell membrane is oxidized, it loses its ability to change shape and squeeze through the
vessels, and leads to a rupturing of the membrane, or hemolysis. Vitamin E has demonstrated a protective
effect against this hemolysis in blood diseases, including sickle cell anemia. "In these diseases, there is extra
oxidant stress, or a decrease in other protective mechanisms, so that the effects of Vitamin E are more readily
seen" (Halliwell and Gutteridge, Free Radicals in Biology and Medicine, 1990. New York, Oxford University
Press, p. 173).
Vitamin E and the immune system:
Vitamin E protects cells, including the cells of the immune system. Additionally, it seems to boost immune
activity. "Vitamins E, A, C and carotenoids are able to protect cells and enhance humoral and cellular immune
responses in disease" (Nockels, C.F. The role of vitamins in modulating disease resistance. 1988. Vet Clin
North Am Food Anim Pract 4(3):531-42).
When the cell's balance is disrupted, hormone receptors are inactivated, and DNA is damaged by free radical
attack. It is easy to see how radicals are associated with such degenerative diseases as cancer, diabetes,
hypertension and heart disease. Indeed, "Several inherited progressive diseases of the central nervous system
may be due to lipid peroxidation" (Ames, B.N. Science 221:1261). Lipid peroxidation is a damaging chain
reaction of destruction caused by free radicals which have not been stopped by antioxidants such as vitamin E.
Sources
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Wheat germ, cold-pressed oils, green, leafy vegetables, nuts, seeds, milk, eggs, brown rice, oatmeal, soybeans
Commonly Suggested Therapeutic
Dosage
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The recommended dosage of vitamin E is approximately 400 IU/day. This is high enough to obtain benefits,
without risk of overdoing the anti-platelet effect, or of interfering with the function of the gamma tocopherols.
Recommended Dietary Allowances
(RDA)
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Infants 3-4 mg
Children 6-7 mg
Adolescents 10 mg
Adult Males 10 mg
Adult Females 8 mg
Pregnant +2 mg
Lactating +3-4 mg
Contraindications/Toxicology
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Since vitamin E reduces blood clotting, which is considered to be a favorable effect in reducing risk for heart
disease, it should not be combined with anticoagulant drugs. Although caution is advised when taking vitamin E
with other herbs containing anti-platelet activity, it is not necessarily contraindicated. For instance, ginkgo biloba
and vitamin E can be safely combined. Certain factors, such as individual concerns, and amount of the
supplement, need to be taken into consideration. A trained health professional should be consulted to help
make an informed decision. Medicinal amounts of any vitamin, mineral or specialty nutrient should only be
taken with the advice of a trained licensed healthcare professional.
Drug/Nutrient Interactions
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Selenium works synergistically with vitamin E as fat-soluble antioxidants.
The statements above have not been
evaluated by the FDA. The nutritional suggestions and research provided
are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease and should not be
used as a substitute for sound medical advice. Please see your health care
professional in all matters pertaining to your physical health. The
Professional Description, Professional Notes, Patient Instructions, and items
marked with an astrisk (*) are provided by the practitioner and are the sole
responsibility of the practitioner.Copyright © 1998-2002 Standard in Natural
Solutions, LLC.