Vitamin E - tocopherol- information page

Vitamin E has earned itself a reputation - from spicing up your sex life to banning wrinkles and old age. One of the most important functions of this vitamin is its antioxidant properties. Vitamin E is an essential fat-soluble vitamin that includes eight naturally occurring compounds in two classes designated as tocopherols and tocotrienols.

Vitamin E is an effective chain-breaking, lipid-soluble antioxidant in biological membranes, and aids in membrane stability.

on this page

• Vitamin E is required for
• Deficiency of vitamin E
• Dosage
• Toxicity and symptoms of high intake
• Best used with
• When more may be required
• Enemy of vitamin E
• Other interesting points
• Food sources of vitamin E
• Vitamin E contained in the following Zest for Life products

Vitamin E is required for

Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant, protects your cells from oxidation, and neutralizes unstable free radicals, which can cause damage. This is done by the vitamin E giving up one of its electrons to the electron deficient free radical, making it more stable. While Vitamin E performs its antioxidant functions, it also protects the other antioxidants from being oxidized.

This antioxidant capability is then also great in helping to prevent degenerative diseases - including heart disease, strokes, arthritis, senility, diabetes and cancer. It also assists in fighting heart disease and cancers and is essential for red blood cells, helps with cellular respiration and protects the body from pollution - especially the lungs. Vitamin E is also useful in preventing blood clots from forming and promotes fertility, reduces and/or prevents hot flushes in menopause. An increase in stamina and endurance is also attributed to Vitamin E.

Vitamin E is also used topically to great effect for skin treatments - in helping the skin look younger, promoting healing and cutting down the risk of scar tissue forming. Used on the skin it is also reported to help with eczema, skin ulcers cold sores and shingles.

More info on free radicals.

Deficiency of vitamin E

Deficiency of Vitamin E is not common, and the symptoms not very clear cut, but may include fatigue, inflamed varicose veins, wounds healing slowly, premature aging and sub-fertility. When Vitamin E is in short supply symptoms may include acne, anemia, muscle disease, dementia, cancers, gallstones, shortened red blood cell life span, spontaneous abortion (miscarriage), and uterine degeneration.

Dosage

The dosage underneath is the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA), but be aware that this dosage is the minimum that you require per day, to ward off serious deficiency of this particular nutrient. In the therapeutic use of this nutrient, the dosage is usually increased considerably, but the toxicity level must be kept in mind.

Males 300 IU (10 mg) per day and females 8 mg per day.

Toxicity and symptoms of high intake

Toxicity is not easily reached. High intakes may induce diarrhea, nausea or abdominal wind. People on anticoagulant medication should not take more than 1,200 IU per day.

Best used with

Take Vitamin E with the range of antioxidants - that being vitamin C, beta-carotene and selenium. Vitamin B group vitamins as well as inositol and manganese is also indicated.

When more may be required

When your diet is high in refined carbohydrates, fried foods and fat, or you are taking a birth control pill or hormone replacement therapy, then a supplement of Vitamin E might be called for. People suffering from pre-menstrual cramps, menopausal hot flushes, after a stroke or suffering from a heart disease might benefit from Vitamin E. It might also be beneficial to relieve painful or swollen joints, if you are exposed to pollution (that is about all of us), suffer from poor circulation or from Dupuytren's disease, which is a thickening of the ligaments in the hands.

Enemy of vitamin E

Vitamin E is lost in food processing which includes milling, cooking, freezing, long storage periods and when exposed to air.

Vitamin E should not be taken together with inorganic iron supplements as it may destroy the vitamin, while organic iron, such as ferrous gluconate and ferrous fumarate does not affect the vitamin.

Other interesting points

When buying a supplement you often see "d-alpha-tocopherol" on the list of ingredients - that means that the Vitamin E is from natural sources, whereas "dl-alpha-tocopherol" will indicate that it is from synthetic origin. As such the origin of the vitamin does not influence the efficiency thereof.

Food sources of vitamin E

Vitamin E is found in nuts, oils, vegetables, sunflower seeds, whole grains, spinach, oils, seeds, wheat oils, asparagus, avocado, beef, seafood, apples, carrots, celery etc .

Vitamin E contained in the following Zest for Life products

• Millenium 2000 - Slimming and weight-loss capsules

• Hair, Nail & Skin supplement - multi nutrient capsule

• Antioxidant capsules to fight and neutralize free radicals

• Vuka 2000 - sexual stimulant and herbal viagra

• Click here to view our full product range.

Our products

	Adaptogens. Balance and help us cope with stresses.
	Anti-aging supplement. Helps to fight the signs and symptoms of ageing.
	Antioxidants. Fight ageing, degenerative disease and free radicals.
	Apple cider vinegar capsules with Gotu Kola. The trusted folk remedy.
	BodyGuard. Immune boost formula.
	Enzymes. Required for metabolic processes.
	Millenium 2000. Slimming capsules to make dieting easy.
	OystaCal. The best organic and bio-available calcium.
	Phytosterols. Plant chemicals to boost your system.
	Hair, Skin and Nail Formula. The best formula for improving your looks.
	Vitalyze. Your high-energy boost to live life with vigor and stress-buster.
	Vuka 2000. The most advanced sexual supplement.

Nutritional information

Here are some information page on which you can read more about a specific nutrient and the role it plays in our general well-being. Please note - We do not use or sell all of these compounds but include the information for the benefit of our clients and visitors. To visit our selection of vitamin products please click here.