What is vitamin E?

Vitamin E is a group of eight fat soluble compounds essential for human health.

The FNB (Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine) has determined that the only compound of significant activity is alpha-tocopherol. As such the Vitamin E listed in the app represents only the quantity of alpha-tocopherol found in the food.

Why do we need vitamin E?

Vitamin E contributes to many bodily functions, including:

Antioxidant

Vitamin E is a strong antioxidant that protects our cells against the damage of free radicals.

Immune function

Vitamin E is involved in the modulation of the immune system (1).

Recommended Daily Allowance for vitamin E

Recommended Daily Allowance for a 44-year-old male moderately active, weighting 70 kg and 175 cm tall is 15 mg and the Tolerable Upper Intake is 1 000 mg (2).

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Vitamin E deficiency

Vitamin E deficiency is rare in developing countries. The signs and symptoms of deficiency include (3) :

• Peripheral neuropathy (nerve disease)
• Ataxia (neuromuscular disease)
• Myopathy (disease affecting the muscle)
• Retinopathy (damage of the retina of the eye)
• Impairment of the immune system

What are the risks of too much vitamin E?

According to the FNB, no adverse effects associated with vitamin E consumption from food have been reported. However, high doses of alpha-tocopherol supplements have been associated with bleeding (3).