Vitamin E Health Benefits, Properties, and Uses

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin that is found in many foods in the human diet.¹ Vitamin E’s main purpose is to act as an antioxidant by finding free radicals - or loose electrons - that can damage cells. ² Free radicals have the potential to lead to developing different types of diseases and cancers. Vitamin E naturally occurs in foods like liver, eggs, nuts, dark leafy vegetables, asparagus, avocado, yams and many more foods. Vitamin E can also be taken as a supplement in liquid or capsule form. ¹

Vitamin E Uses and Health Benefits

Because of its antioxidant power there are several different vitamin E benefits. Vitamin E benefits include:^1,2,3

• Improved muscle function
• Increase in eye movement and vision quality
• Disease prevention
• Improved cell immunity
• Improved cognitive function

Vitamin E for skin is also another common use. Vitamin E can help to improve age-related imperfections and help renew the skin. Another use is vitamin E for scars and it can help to repair skin damage with its antioxidant health benefits.Because it helps repair tissue and cells, vitamin E for hair can help to repair follicle damage and restore the strength of hair.

Here are some of the most effective uses of vitamin E:

• Intermittent Claudication - Vitamin E can help to improve the symptoms of intermittent claudication and peripheral artery disease by improving circulation and muscle function.
• Macular Degeneration - The antioxidant health benefits of vitamin E make it a natural remedy to help treat macular degeneration by reducing the disease’s progression.
• Osteomyelitis - Vitamin E can help to improve the condition of osteomyelitis with its natural antioxidant health benefits. By adding vitamin E to your diet, you can help prevent the progression of the osteomyelitis infection.
• Peyronie’s Disease - Vitamin E has natural healing and skin benefits. A diet rich in vitamin E can help promote healing and prevent scarring which can help with Peyronie’s Disease.
• Dry Skin (Xeroderma) - Vitamin E for skin is one of the best health benefits of this antioxidant. For dry skin, apply vitamin E oil to affected areas as a topical treatment.

Vitamin E Side Effects and Precautions

Though vitamin E has plenty of health benefits, there are precautions that come with taking vitamin E supplements. Here are the precautions of taking vitamin E:^1,4

• Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin which should always be taken with a meal
• Store vitamin E supplements in an airtight container in a cool, dark place as it can lose its potency
• Consult a physician about taking vitamin E supplements if you are currently on anticoagulant medications like blood thinners or aspirin
• If you are taking chemotherapy drugs or mineral oil, vitamin E supplementation may cause adverse side effects
• High vitamin E intake may interfere with antidepressants, antipsychotic and anti-seizure medications
• Excessive levels of vitamin E intake may increase the body’s required intake of vitamin K

Always consult your physician if you plan to increase your levels of vitamin E and have any pre-existing conditions. You doctor can help suggest a vitamin E supplement plan that will limit any potential side effects or adverse reactions with medications.

References

1. http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement/vitamin-e
2. https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/vitamin-e/
3. http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/vitamins/vitamin-E
4. http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART02813/facts-about-vitamin-e