Vitamin E: Vitamin E refers to a group of compounds that include both tocopherols and tocotrienols. A fat-soluble vitamin it interrupts the propagation of reactive oxygen. It was discovered in 1922 by Herbert Mclean Evans and Katharine scot Bishop.
The first use of Vitamin E as a therapeutic agent was conducted in 1938 by widenbauer.
Recommended daily allowance of vitamin E
- 0 – 12 months -> 4 – 5 mg/day
- 1 – 13 years -> 6 – 11 mg/day
- 14 years and older -> 15 mg/day
- Pregnancy -> 15 mg/day
- Lactation -> 19 mg/day
Sources of Vitamin E
- Wheat germ oil, canola, rapeseed oil, sunflower oil, almond oil, palm oil, olive oil, hazelnuts, peanut, spinach, turnip, beets, dandle oil, butter, avocados, cocoa butter, sesame oil, cashew nuts, walnuts, lettuce, papaya, broccoli, asparagus.
- Supplement
Importance of Vitamin E
- It works as an anti-oxidant by disabling the production of damaging free radicals in tissues
- Used as a commercial antioxidant in ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene used in hip and knee implants by resisting oxidation.
- It works as an enzymatic activity regulator.
- It has an effect on gene expression.
- It also plays a role in eye and neurological functions and inhibition of platelet coagulation.
- It protects lipids and prevents oxidation.
Deficiency of Vitamin E
- Spinocerebellar ataxia.
- Myopathies.
- Peripheral neuropathy.
- Ataxia.
- Skeletal myopathy.
- Retinopathy.
- RBC destruction.
- Impairment of the immune response.
- Skin problem.
- Hairfall
Clinical application of Vitamin E
- Vitamin E and its analogs are used to prevent and repair cell and tissue damage during radiation therapy.
- Vitamin E with adjuvant eating primrose oil may reduce breast pain.
- It is used to treat some cancers.
- It and its derivatives promote tumor susceptibility of ionizing radiation during cancer treatment
Toxicity: >1000mg of Vitamin E
- Act as an anticoagulant and create bleeding problems.
- In combination with drugs like aspirin, it can be life-threatening.
- Hypervitaminosis of E can counteract K vitamin leading to vitamin K deficiency.
