Vitamin E In Your Antioxidant Supplement

Vitamin E is next in our series of informational articles about ingredients you may find in our natural liquid supplements. According to the Office of Dietary Supplements “Vitamin E is the collective name for a group of fat-soluble compounds with distinctive antioxidant activities.” The different forms of Vitamin E are alpha-, beta-, gamma-, and delta-tocopherol and alpha-, beta-, gamma-, and delta-tocotrienol. Of these different forms, only alpha-tocopherol has the ability to meet human needs for Vitamin E. Vitamin E is so popular because it is also an antioxidant.

The Office of Dietary Supplements says “antioxidants protect cells from the damaging effects of free radicals, which are molecules that contain an unshared electron. Free radicals damage cells and might contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease and cancer.” Vitamin E also plays a role in immune function, cell signaling, gene expression and other metabolic processes.

If you’re in the market for a liquid antioxidant supplement, be sure to find one that includes Vitamin E. This important antioxidant vitamin “might help prevent or delay the chronic diseases associated with free radicals,” according to the Office of Dietary Supplements. Vitamin E can also be found in various food sources, such as leafy green vegetables, nuts and seeds. Like Vitamin D, many cereals are also fortified with Vitamin E.

The Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) for Vitamin E, according to the Food and Nutrition Board is:
6 mg/day for those aged 1-3 years old
7 mg/day for those aged 4-8 years old
11 mg/day for those aged 9-13 years old
15 mg/day for those aged 14 years and older

According to the Office of Dietary Supplement, “frank vitamin E defiency is rare” and “research has not found any adverse effects from consuming vitamin E in food. However, high doses of alpha-tocopherol supplements can cause hemorrhage and interrupt blood coagulation in animals, and in vitro data suggest that high doses inhibit platelet aggregation.” Based on this information, it’s important to consult your physician before adding Vitamin E to your supplement routine.