Health Benefits Of Vitamin E
Your body is a complex system.
It’s made up of organs, which are in turn made of tissues, which are made up of cells.
And each of these cells, tissues, and organs require vitamins and nutrients to function properly.
Your largest organ is your skin, might benefit from naturopathic facial rejuvenation.
The cardiovascular system includes your lungs and heart.
And the organ which controls it all is, of course, your brain.
All of these use vitamin E to help them stay healthy.
Today we’re going to take a closer look at this vitamin and all the things it does to help keep your body functioning.
What Is Vitamin E?
Although we typically think of vitamin E as being just one compound, it is, in fact, made up of eight separate fat soluble compounds.
Because vitamin E is fat soluble, amounts which aren’t used can be stored in the body
It is found in a wide variety of foods and is an essential vitamin meaning that it can’t be created by the body, it needs to be taken in through diet or via supplementation.
What Are The Benefits Of Vitamin E?
Vitamin E has many benefits, in relation to a number of bodily functions and the health of your tissues and organs.
Let’s review some of them now.
1. It’s An Antioxidant
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are unstable molecules which can accumulate inside cells.
When this occurs it can lead to reactions causing cell damage and death.
Antioxidants are substances which can help reduce the levels of reactive oxygen species and lower the amount of oxidative stress they cause.
Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant, and can help protect against cell damage caused by oxidative stress.
2. It’s Good For Your Heart
Two factors which increase your risk of developing cardiac disease include high levels of LDL (aka “bad”) cholesterol and elevated blood pressure.
In a 2019 study vitamin E supplementation was shown to have beneficial effects on blood pressure readings.
Taking vitamin E alongside omega 3 supplements may also lead to lower blood levels of LDL cholesterol.
3. It’s Good For Your Skin
If you want healthy looking, glowing skin, you might want to consider using vitamin E.
Topical vitamin E comes in creams, oils, and other formats and can be found in a large number of cosmetic products including moisturizers, serums, and sunscreen.
Vitamin E may also help provide relief from skin conditions such as eczema, however, more studies are needed in this area.
4. It’s Good For Your Brain
Some research has shown that vitamin E supplementation may be protective against the development of Alzheimer’s disease in people who have a mild to moderate form of the disease.
Maintaining ideal levels of vitamin E may help with overall brain function and protect against cognitive decline.
5. It’s Good For Your Lungs
Vitamin E may be beneficial for lung function, especially with individuals with asthma.
One 2014 study found supplementation with vitamin E improved lung function in children with asthma.
Its antioxidant properties may also help reduce oxidative stress in people with chronic lung conditions and help reduce inflammation.
What Foods Are High In Vitamin E?
If you’re looking to add more vitamin E to your diet, consider some of the following vitamin E rich foods:
- Almonds and almond oil
- Sunflower oil and sunflower seeds
- Peanuts
- Rainbow trout
- Mango
- Wheat Germ Oil
- Hazelnuts
- Pine nuts
- Atlantic salmon
- Raw red sweet pepper
- Avocado
- Mango
- Brazil nuts
What Does Vitamin E Deficiency Look Like?
People with certain medical conditions which affect how fat is absorbed by the body may be at risk for vitamin D deficiency.
This includes Crohn’s disease and cystic fibrosis.
Additionally, people who with anorexia nervous may be at increased risk.
Signs of vitamin E deficiency may appear in the following ways:
- General feelings of being unwell
- Vision issues
- Muscle weakness and pain
- Poor coordination
If you suspect you might have a vitamin E deficiency, it’s always best to discuss supplementation with your doctor or naturopath, because too much can also lead to complications, as we will discuss in the next section.
Can You Overdose On Vitamin E?
Vitamin E is a fat soluble vitamin, which means excess amounts are stored in your body.
Because of this, it’s easier to overdose on fat soluble vitamins than water soluble vitamins, as excess amounts of water soluble vitamins are excreted in your urine.
Too much build up of vitamin E can result in vitamin E toxicity, which can result in blood thinning leading to fatal bleeding.
Vitamin E toxicity can also inhibit blood clotting, and increases the risk of strokes caused by brain bleeds.
Should You Take Vitamin E Supplements?
Generally speaking, you’ll want to avoid getting more than one thousand milligrams of vitamin E per day, including both food and supplement sources.
Most people don’t require nearly this much vitamin E, and will generally be able to get enough from food alone.
If you are concerned about not getting enough vitamin E, it’s best to discuss your concerns with your doctor or naturopath before starting supplementation.
Book Your Appointment With Dr. Kimberly Dawdy, ND, Today
Do you have a condition which may be inhibiting the absorption of vitamin E and other important substances, but you’re worried about the potential of overdose if you start taking supplements?
Are you looking for guidance on nutrition and which areas you might benefit from taking supplements for – whether it’s vitamin E or something else?
Maybe you have a family history of Alzheimer’s disease and want to take steps to help lesson your chances of developing it.
Do you just want to discuss your nutrition with someone to ensure your body is getting everything it needs?
I’m Dr. Kimberly Dawdy, ND, a naturopathic doctor servicing Ottawa’s south end, and I want to help.
Book your consultation with me today, and take the first step to a healthier life.
Yours in Health,
Dr. Kimberly Dawdy, ND
Dawdy Naturopathic Clinic
6899 Sunset Blvd,
Greely, ON K4P 1C5
-https://g.page/dawdynaturopathicclinic
Dawdy Naturopathic Clinic offers a variety of naturopathic health solutions for individuals and families in Ottawa and the surrounding area.
