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Vitamin E

Basic Information

Vitamin E is also called alpha-tocopherol.
Brand names:
Vitamin-E Capsules
Aquasol E(R)
E-Ferol(R)
Eprolin(R)
Epsilan-M(R)
Viterra E(R)
Vitamin-E Chewable Tablets
Chew-E(R)
Vitamin-E Oral Solution
Aquasol E(R)
Vitamin-E Tablets
Pheryl-E(R)
Available from natural sources? Yes
Available from synthetic sources? Yes
Prescription required? Yes, for injectable forms
Fat-soluble or water-soluble: Fat-soluble

NATURAL SOURCES

Almonds
Apricot oil
Corn oil
Cottonseed oil
Hazelnuts (filberts)
Margarine
Peanut oil
Safflower nuts
Sunflower seeds
Walnuts
Wheat germ
Whole-wheat flour

REASONS TO USE

  • Promotes normal growth and development.
  • Treats and prevents vitamin-E deficiency in premature or low-birth-weight infants.
  • Prevents oxidation of free radicals in body.
  • Acts as anti-blood clotting agent.
  • Protects tissue against oxidation.
  • Promotes normal red-blood-cell formation.

    UNPROVED SPECULATED BENEFITS

  • Treats fibrocystic disease of breast.
  • Treats circulatory problems of lower extremities.
  • Treats sickle-cell anemia.
  • Treats lung toxicity from air pollution.
  • Prevents or alleviates coronary-artery heart disease.
  • Enhances sexual performance.
  • Improves muscle strength and stamina.
  • Heals burns and wounds.
  • Retards aging.
  • Prevents hair loss.
  • Prevents abortion.
  • Treats menopause.
  • Helps overcome infertility.
  • Treats bee stings, liver spots on hands, bursitis, diaper rash.
  • Prevents and treats cancer.
  • Decreases scarring.
  • Improves athletic performance.
  • Treats muscular dystrophy, heart degeneration, anemia.
  • Treats acne.
  • Prevents eye problems and lung problems in low-birth-weight or premature infants.

    WHO NEEDS ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS?

  • Anyone with inadequate caloric or nutritional dietary intake or increased nutritional requirements.
  • Older people (over 55 years).
  • Those who abuse alcohol or other drugs.
  • People who have a chronic wasting illness, excess stress for long periods or those who have recently undergone surgery.
  • Those with part of the gastrointestinal tract surgically removed.
  • People with recent severe burns or injuries.
  • People with hyperthyroidism.

    DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS

  • Premature infants and children:
  • Irritability
  • Edema
  • Hemolytic anemia
  • Adults:
  • Lack of vitality
  • Lethargy
  • Apathy
  • Inability to concentrate
  • Irritability
  • Disinterest in physical activity
  • Decreased sexual performance
  • Muscle weakness

    UNPROVED SPECULATED SYMPTOMS

  • Indigestion
  • Low libido and impotence
  • Premature aging
  • Chest pain

    LAB TESTS TO DETECT DEFICIENCY

  • Blood tocopherol level
  • Excess creatine in urine to indicate muscle breakdown
  • Red-blood-cell fragility test

    DOSAGE AND USAGE INFORMATION

    Age RDA
    0-12 months 3-4mg
    1-7 years 5-7mg
    11-18 years 8mg
    MALES
    18+ years 10mg
    FEMALES
    18+ years 8mg
    Pregnant +2mg
    Lactating +3mg
    Note: 1 mg vitamin E equals 1IU. Labels may list as mg or IU.
    What this vitamin does:

  • Prevents a chemical reaction called OXIDATION. Excessive oxidation can sometimes cause harmful effects.
  • Acts as a co-factor in several enzyme systems.

    Miscellaneous information:

  • Take at same time every day.
  • Vitamin E is a constituent of many skin ointments, salves and creams. Claims for beneficial effects have not been confirmed, but topical application probably does not cause harm.
  • May require several weeks of treatment before symptoms caused by deficiency will improve.
  • Freezing may destroy vitamin E.
  • Extreme heat causes vitamin E to break down. Avoid deep-fat frying foods that are natural sources of vitamin E.
  • Vitamin E functions as an anti-oxidant, prevents enzyme action of peroxidase on unsaturated bonds of cell membranes and protects red blood cells from disintegrating.

    Available as:

  • Tablets or capsules: Swallow whole with full glass of liquid. Don't chew or crush. Take with or immediately after food to decrease stomach irritation.
  • Drops: Dilute dose in beverage before swallowing, or squirt directly into mouth.
  • A constituent of many multivitamin/mineral preparations.

    WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

    Don't take if you:

  • Are allergic to vitamin E.

    Consult your doctor if you have:

  • Iron-deficiency anemia.
  • Bleeding or clotting problems.
  • Cystic fibrosis.
  • Intestinal problems.
  • Liver disease.
  • Overactive thyroid.

    Over age 55:

  • No problems expected.

    Pregnancy:

  • No problems expected, except with megadoses.

    Breast-feeding:

  • No problems expected.
  • Don't take megadoses.

    Effect on lab tests:

  • Serum cholesterol and serum triglycerides may register HIGH if you take large doses of vitamin E.

    Storage:

  • Store in cool, dry area away from direct light, but don't freeze.
  • Store safely out of reach of children.
  • Don't store in bathroom medicine cabinet. Heat and moisture may change action of the vitamin.

    Others:

  • Beware of megadoses.

    OVERDOSE/TOXICITY

    Signs and symptoms:
    Depletes vitamin-A stores in body. Very high doses (over 800
    units/day) causes tendency to bleed, altered immunity, impaired
    sex functions, increased risk of blood clots, altered metabolism
    of thyroid, pituitary and adrenal hormones.

    What to do:

  • For other symptoms of toxicity: Discontinue vitamin, and consult doctor. Also see ADVERSE REACTIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS section below.
  • For accidental overdosage (such as a child taking entire bottle): Dial 911 (emergency), 0 for operator or your nearest Poison Control Center.

    ADVERSE REACTIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS

    Reaction or Effect What to do
    Abdominal pain Discontinue. Call doctor immediately.
    Breast enlargement Discontinue. Call doctor when
    convenient.
    Diarrhea Discontinue. Call doctor immediately.
    Dizziness Discontinue. Call doctor when
    convenient.
    Flu-like symptoms Discontinue. Call doctor immediately.
    Headache Discontinue. Call doctor when
    convenient.
    Nausea Discontinue. Call doctor immediately.
    Tiredness or weakness Discontinue. Call doctor when
    convenient.
    Vision blurred Discontinue. Call doctor
    immediately.

    INTERACTION WITH MEDICINE, VITAMINS OR MINERALS

    Interacts with Combined effect
    Antacids Decreases vitamin-E
    absorption.
    Anti-coagulants, coumarin- or May increase spontaneous or
    indandione-type (blood thinners) hidden bleeding.
    Cholestyramine May decrease absorption of
    vitamin E.
    Colestipol May decrease absorption of
    vitamin E.
    Iron supplements Decreases effect of iron
    supplement in people with
    iron-deficiency anemia.
    Decreases vitamin-E effect in
    healthy people.
    Mineral oil May decrease absorption of
    vitamin E.
    Sucralfate May decrease absorption of
    vitamin E.
    Vitamin A Facilitates absorption,
    storage and utilization of
    vitamin A. Reduces potential
    toxicity of vitamin A.
    Excessive doses of vitamin E
    causes vitamin-A depletion.

    INTERACTION WITH OTHER SUBSTANCES

  • Tobacco decreases absorption. Smokers may require supplemental vitamin E.
  • Chronic alcoholism depletes vitamin-E stores in liver.

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