Vitamin E is found in many foods such as wheat germ oil, avocado, spinach, cereals, meat, oils, eggs, vegetables, poultry, and fruits. It is a very powerful fat-soluble antioxidant that safeguards the cell membranes from harmful free radicals. It also prevents LDL cholesterol oxidation.
Vitamin E plays major roles in our system. It is used for treating several simple health problems to serious diseases and complications. According to DR.WEIL, Vitamin E is very important for the function and maintenance of cardiac, skeletal, and smooth muscle.
Vitamin E is also significant in maintaining storage of vitamin A and K, selenium and iron. It is very important in performing function in the immune system and keeping the body safe from oxidative damages that could lead to cancer, Alzheimer's disease and even heart disease.
Vitamin E is also very important in women's reproductive health. It is used for avoiding debilitating complications of late pregnancy such as pre-eclampsia, menopausal syndrome, painful periods, premenstrual period, breast cancer or cysts and hot flashes.
This vitamin also plays crucial role in providing muscle strength, improving energy, lessening muscle damage and enhancing one's endurance according to WebMD.
Do you know that vitamin E deficiency is very uncommon? Few people only have problem with dietary fat absorption. When there is problem in fat absorption, there will be automatic hindrance in absorption of vitamin E.
If this happens, a pregnant mother could have low-birth weight babies. In some occurrences, a person may have complication with alpha-tocopherol that includes symptoms including chronic diarrhea, greasy stools, and an incapability in absorbing bile.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) reports that the U.S. Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for adults older than 14-years is 15 mg (or 22.5 IU). For pregnant women of any age, vitamin E must be 15 mg (or 22.5 IU) while breastfeeding women of any age is recommended to take 19 mg (or 28.5 IU).
The American Heart Association suggests obtaining vitamin E from rich sources of fruits and vegetables and having a well balanced meal rather than supplements. Since it is fat-soluble, it is best to take it when eating meals with fat.
