Description
Vitamin E is a fat soluble nutrient and requires fat to be properly absorbed. This antioxidant prevents oxidation of fat compounds, selenium, vitamin A and some vitamin C. It also enhances vitamin A activity.
Vitamin E helps protect cell membranes and protects the lungs from pollution. It improves circulation, acts as an anti-blood clotting factor, and strengthens capillary walls. Vitamin E is important for tissue repair and helps maintain healthy muscles and nerves.
Vitamin E increases oxygen supply, resulting in greater endurance, and helps alleviate fatigue. It helps prevent cellular oxidation and thus maintains healthy looking skin. It accelerates healing of burns and wounds.
Ailments / Situations Where Used
Vitamin E is known to prevent or alleviate anemia, atherosclerosis, arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, infertility in both men and women, retrolentil fibroplasia (an eye disorder that can affect premature infants), premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and other menstrual problems, miscarriage, and shortened life span of red blood cells.
Other ailments that vitamin E helps prevent include migraine headaches, menopausal symptoms, sinusitis, stress, and varicose veins. It is also good for external conditions such as scars, warts, wounds, and wrinkles.
Source
Ideal sources of vitamin E include apples, avocados, black berries, brown rice, butter, cod, cold-pressed vegetable oils, crab, dark green leafy vegetables, eggs, heart, liver, nuts, oatmeal, salmon, shrimp, sweet potatoes, tuna, soybeans, watercress, wheat, and wheat germ.
Vitamin E is also found in multi-vitamin/mineral supplements and in isolated form.
Optimal Absorption
The body requires zinc for the proper maintenance of vitamin E in the blood.
If supplementing, take vitamin E in capsule or tablet form for optimal absorption. Look for supplements containing the "d-" form of vitamin E, as the synthetic "dl" form is not as usable by the body.
Substances and processes that destroy or limit vitamin E absorption include deep frying, fast foods, food processing techniques, iron, inorganic chlorine, and heat.
The following is a list of United States 1989 Recommended Daily Allowances (RDA) for minimum nutritional vitamin E intake and are included as a guideline only. These values are considered too low for most individuals, according to better nutrition authorities today. Consult with your nutritionist, naturopath, or other health practitioner for a dosage appropriate for your needs. Children under 6 years of age should be under the supervision of the above mentioned specialists if directly supplementing with vitamin E.
NOTE: (1mg a-TE = 1.5 IU)
0 - 5 months, 3mg a-TE 6 - 11 months, 4mg a-TE 1 - 3, 6mg a-TE 4 - 6, 7mg a-TE 7 - 10, 7mg a-TE 11 - 14, 10mg a-TE 15 - 18, 10mg a-TE 19 - 24, 10mg a-TE 25 - 50, 10mg a-TE 51+, 10mg a-TE 11 - 14, 8mg a-TE 15 - 18, 8mg a-TE 19 - 24, 8mg a-TE 25 - 50, 8mg a-TE 51+ years, 8mg a-TE 1st 6 months, 12mg a-TE 2nd 6 months, 11mg a-TE
Contraindications / Precautions / Warnings
As vitamin E is a natural blood thinner, do not combine with anticoagulant medications unless under the supervision of your naturopath, nutritionist, or other health practitioner.
Vitamin E can cause a temporary elevation of blood pressure. If you have high blood pressure, start at a low dosage (200 IU daily) only under the supervision of your naturopath, nutritionist, or other health practitioner.
Ailment / Situation Listing
