Vitamin E: What You Need To Know About Vitamin E

What You Need To Know About Vitamin E

By Health Editor

In this article we look at the role that Vitamin E plays in helping to maintain a healthy body ...

Vitamin E is a fat soluble vitamin which occurs in 8 different forms. These forms all affect the body's functioning differently. The type of Vitamin E that is of most merit to humans is known as Alpha-tocopheral. This compound is useful in the fact that it is a powerful anti-oxidant. Anti-oxidants help the body to fight off free radicals, which are rogue cells created as byproducts of metabolism which attack the cell membranes of normal, healthy cells in the body. This damage may lead to the development of cancer or cardiovascular disease.

There are currently research studies being undertaken which are examining the effects of Vitamin E with respects to stopping free-radicals from causing this damage. Free radicals may also be a contributor to the development of cancer; for this reason, Vitamin E is recommended to help contain the effects of the free radicals. Research towards this aspect of Vitamin E is so far inconclusive and incomplete; it is not entirely certain that Vitamin E may help cancer, but it is believed to.

Vitamin E is also important for the body since it helps to play a role in immune function. Repair of the body's DNA is another effect Vitamin E can have in humans. To ensure that you are getting enough Vitamin E, Recommended Dietary Allowances have been established. Infants aged 1 to 3 should get roughly 6 milligrams of Vitamin E per day. Children 4 to 8 require around 7 milligrams per day. When developing into an adolescent, those aged 9 to 13 should consume 11 milligrams per day. People aged 14 or older are recommended to consume 15 milligrams on a daily basis.

Those who are not getting their Recommended Dietary Allowance of Vitamin E usually are lacking due to one of three conditions. Premature infants who experience a very low birth weight are known to have problems with Vitamin E deficiencies. People may have a rare genetic disorder which causes abnormalities in the Alpha-tocopheral transfer protein may experience deficiency, as well as people who are unable to absorb fat in their diet due to a lack of bile creation. A Vitamin E deficiency usually results in problems such as degeneration of the nerves in the hands and the feet. A lack of zinc in the diet is also known to decrease Vitamin E levels in the bloodstream.

To ensure that you're getting enough Vitamin E on a daily basis, there are many foods available which contain this necessary nutrient. The best way to confirm that you are getting your RDA would be to consume a tablespoon of wheat germ oil. This compound is rich in Alpha-tocopheral and gives you 100% of your daily need. Vitamin E can also be found in lesser amounts in foods such as almonds, sunflower seeds, sunflower oil, peanuts, corn oil, kiwis, mangoes, broccoli, and spinach. Those with Cystic Fibrosis or Crohn's disease may need a special water-soluble form of Vitamin E to ensure that they are getting the nutrition that they need.

Next article: Vitamins - A Brief History

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