Vitamin E: Health Benefits, Nutritional Sources and Potential Drawbacks
Vitamin E is a nutrient commonly found in skincare products. It can help protect your skin from UV damage, so you may have noticed it on the composition label of your favorite facial sunscreen this summer. But that's not all -- you also need to get vitamin E in your diet. Getting enough vitamin E is crucial because it plays a key role in human development and functioning. The vitamin includes eight compounds, but only one of those -- alpha-tocopherol -- is used in the human body.
Experts have been debating the pros and cons of vitamin E for many years. Curious about the key takeaways? We've done the research. Here are the potential benefits and drawbacks to consider before adding a vitamin E supplement to your daily routine.
What is vitamin E?
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble nutrient found in many foods and is important to the human body in various ways. Vitamin E, in the form of alpha-tocopherol, is a powerful antioxidant that works as a free-radical-fighting machine.
While it is possible to meet daily vitamin E needs through food, oral and topical supplements are also available. However, supplements should be used cautiously, according to directions and after consulting a doctor.
Adding vitamin E to your diet
yulka3ice/iStock/Getty Images
Nuts, seeds and vegetable oils top the list of the best sources, but vitamin E can be found in many foods. Here are some excellent and versatile food choices to boost your vitamin E.
Asparagus
Avocado
Boiled or raw spinach
Dry roasted sunflower seeds
Dry roasted almonds
Dry roasted hazelnuts
Kiwi
Mango
Peanut butter
Pumpkin
Red bell pepper
Tomato
Benefits of vitamin E
Vitamin E has been touted as offering many benefits to the human body. Some of those are inconclusive regarding showing true benefit in scientific studies. Here are some vitamin E benefits that have science to back them up.
1. May lower blood pressure
High blood pressure (hypertension) is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Some studies have shown that supplementing with vitamin E can help lower blood pressure, though the results were not as favorable for those with severe high blood pressure.
Although results are mixed on the relationship between vitamin E supplementation and cardiovascular disease, a study that followed 40,000 healthy women for 10 years found that those who supplemented vitamin E had a 24% lower risk of death by a cardiac event. The results were not as positive for those at high risk or who already had heart disease.
2. Fights free radicals
Vitamin E is known to battle free radicals and protect cells from their damage; fewer free radicals can mean several good things for the human body.
Cellular damage due to free radicals increases the risk for various health issues like cardiovascular disease, inflammatory disease, cataracts and cancer. Antioxidants that fight free radicals, like vitamin E, also fight those chronic conditions.
A bonus? Vitamin E's contribution to free radical reduction also reduces skin damage from UV exposure. Less skin damage means a more youthful glow, and who doesn't want that?
Its anti-inflammatory effects also help to reduce symptoms in chronic inflammatory skin conditions like dermatitis.
3. Can improve PMS symptoms
Around 80% to 90% of women experience some degree of premenstrual syndrome during their reproductive years. For some, PMS is painful and disruptive to daily life. Vitamin E may bring some respite if you are one of the 80% to 90%.
Studies show that supplementing vitamin E with vitamin D may be an effective way to reduce PMS symptoms like cramping, anxiety and cravings.
Getty Images/Mensent Photography/Moment
Drawbacks to vitamin E supplements
As with any supplement, vitamin E should be used according to instructions and with caution.
Avoid too much of a good thing
Being fat-soluble is not a bad thing. But too much of a good thing can quickly turn into a bad thing. Fat-soluble vitamins like vitamin E dissolve in fat, as opposed to water-soluble vitamins like vitamin C. That means that vitamin E can be stored in your body's fat tissues and liver for up to six months.
Since most of our vitamin E needs can be met through food, high doses of vitamin E are rarely needed and can cause serious health conditions.
You may experience side effects
When taken in small doses, vitamin E rarely causes any negative side effects. However, this is not the case for everyone. Here are some side effects to watch out for:
Blurred vision
Diarrhea
Fatigue
Headache
Nausea
Rash
Stomach cramps
Weakness
May cause or worsen certain health conditions
Before supplementing or increasing your dietary intake of vitamin E, consider the following health conditions that could be caused or worsened by vitamin E.
Prostate cancer : Though further research is limited, a trial study of 35,533 healthy men concluded that dietary supplementation with vitamin E caused a significant increase in prostate cancer.
: Though further research is limited, a trial study of 35,533 healthy men concluded that dietary supplementation with vitamin E caused a significant increase in prostate cancer. Heart disease: Though there is no research to suggest vitamin E causes heart disease, some research does suggest that vitamin E may worsen the condition and increase the risk of death by heart attack or stroke.
Though there is no research to suggest vitamin E causes heart disease, some research does suggest that vitamin E may worsen the condition and increase the risk of death by heart attack or stroke. Hemorrhage: High doses of vitamin E have been shown to cause bleeding and increase the risk for hemorrhagic stroke.
High doses of vitamin E have been shown to cause bleeding and increase the risk for hemorrhagic stroke. Diabetes: Current information supports discouraging people with diabetes from supplementing with vitamin E.
May interact with certain drugs
If you are taking any prescription medications or supplements, check with your medical provider before supplementing with vitamin E. Vitamin E may counteract the effectiveness of some drugs or supplements like vitamin K, statins, niacin, blood thinners, anti-platelet drugs or even chemotherapy drugs.
Can vitamin E be taken daily?
For adults, the recommended daily amount of vitamin E is 15 mg. It takes only a small amount of the right foods to reach 15 mg. For example, there is 7.4 mg of vitamin E in one ounce of sunflower seeds and 7.3 mg per one ounce of almonds. Either of those will bring you to around 49% of your daily need for vitamin E.
Since vitamin E is so accessible in food, and in this case, more is not better, supplementing is not often needed. However, if you're unable to get the recommended daily amount through food, you should limit your supplementation to 15 mg or less per day to achieve the full benefits of vitamin E.
If you're taking any other supplements or drugs, be sure to consult with your medical provider before taking vitamin E.
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Yoga is excellent for your strength, flexibility, and balance. It may also aid in weight loss, which can further help regulate your hormones. You can also make the following lifestyle changes: Lose weight: If your doctor has recommended it, a reduction in body weight may help regulate menstrual cycles and increase the chances of getting pregnant. Weight loss may also help improve erectile function. Eat well: A balanced diet is an important part of overall health. Decrease vaginal discomfort: Use lubes or moisturizers free of parabens, glycerin, and petroleum. Avoid hot flash triggers when possible: Identify things that commonly trigger your hot flashes, such as warm temperatures, spicy foods, or hot beverages. Remove unwanted hair: If you have excess facial or body hair, you can use hair removal cream, laser hair removal, or electrolysis. Hormonal imbalance and acne The primary cause of acne is excess oil production, which leads to clogged pores. Acne is most common in areas with many oil glands, including the: face chest upper back shoulders Acne is often associated with the hormonal changes of puberty. But there's a lifelong relationship between acne and hormones. Acne and menstruation The menstrual cycle is one of the most common acne triggers. For many individuals, acne develops the week before they get their period and then clears up. Dermatologists recommend hormonal testing for people who have acne in combination with other symptoms, such as irregular periods and excess facial or body hair. Acne and androgens Androgens contribute to acne by overstimulating the oil glands. Children of all genders have high levels of androgens during puberty, which is why acne is so common at that time. Androgen levels typically settle down in a person's early 20s. Hormonal imbalance and weight gain Hormones play an integral role in metabolism and your body's ability to use energy. 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While you can't become pregnant if you're not ovulating, irregular ovulation in PCOS can still result in pregnancy. If you're trying to become pregnant and have PCOS, your doctor may recommend methods to improve your fertility. This may include losing weight, if a doctor recommends it. Prescription medications are also available that can stimulate ovulation and increase your chances of becoming pregnant. In vitro fertilization (IVF) is also an option if medication doesn't work. As a last resort, surgery can temporarily restore ovulation. PCOS can cause issues during pregnancy for both you and your baby. There are higher rates of: gestational diabetes miscarriage preeclampsia cesarean delivery (C-section) high birth weight admission to and time spent in the neonatal intensive care unit Becoming pregnant while living with PCOS does not mean an individual will experience any of the above problems. Talking with your doctor and following their advice is the best way to have a safe pregnancy and delivery. Pregnancy and hypothyroidism Babies born to parents with untreated hypothyroidism are more likely to have developmental issues. This includes intellectual and developmental disabilities. Managing your hypothyroidism along with your doctor's advice can help lessen these risks. Hormonal imbalance and hair loss Most hair loss, such as male pattern baldness, is hereditary but may be influenced by a hormone imbalance. Hormonal changes and imbalances can also sometimes cause temporary hair loss. In AFAB folks, this is often related to: pregnancy childbirth the onset of menopause An overproduction or underproduction of thyroid hormones can also cause hair loss. Other complications Hormone imbalances are associated with many chronic, or long term, health conditions. Without proper treatment, you could be at risk for several serious medical conditions, including: type 1 and type 2 diabetes diabetes insipidus high blood pressure high cholesterol heart disease neuropathy obesity sleep apnea kidney damage depression and anxiety endometrial cancer breast cancer osteoporosis loss of muscle mass urinary incontinence infertility sexual dysfunction goiter
