You may have noticed vitamin E on the label of your favorite skin-care products. It’s a nutrient that can help protect your skin from UV damage, making it a common ingredient for facial sunscreens. But vitamin E isn’t just applied topically — you also need to get it in your daily diet. Consuming 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, so deciding whether to supplement vitamin E in your diet can be confusing. To help, we’ve done the research for you and found the key takeaways you should know. Here are the potential benefits and drawbacks to consider before adding a vitamin E supplement to your daily routine.
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
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 almonds
- Dry roasted hazelnuts
- Dry roasted sunflower seeds
- 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, although the results were not as favorable for those with severe high blood pressure.
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 from 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 reduce 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.
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.
Because 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.
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.
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