The Facts About Vitamin E

Basic Information About Vitamin E Indicates Health Benefits

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin. One key fact about Vitamin E is that it exists in eight different forms. Each form has its own biological activity, the measure of potency or functional use in the body. Alpha-tocopherol is the most active form of vitamin E in humans, and is a powerful biological antioxidant. Antioxidants such as vitamin E act to protect your cells against the effects of free radicals, which are potentially damaging by-products of the body’s metabolism. Free radicals can cause cell damage that may contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease and cancer. Studies are underway about Vitamin E to determine whether it might help prevent or delay the development of those chronic diseases.

Vegetable oils, nuts, and green leafy vegetables are the main dietary sources of vitamin E. Food manufacturers understand more about Vitamin E and the associated health benefits. Fortified cereals are now an important source of vitamin E in the United States.

The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) is the average daily dietary intake level that is sufficient to meet the nutrient requirements of nearly all (97-98%) healthy individuals in each life-stage and gender group. The 2000 RDAs for vitamin E for adults, in milligrams (mg) and International Units (IUs) are 15 mg or 22 IU. Becoming informed about Vitamin E should prompt specific actions to incorporate this vitamin into our diet through the foods we eat or by supplementary methods.

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