Vitamin E
Kar Yi Lim, Vivian Lin, Chan Park,
Edmond Tai
A Little About Vitamin E...
Vitamin E is not a single substance but rather a family of fat
soluble vitamins.
tocopherols: alpha tocopherol, beta tocopherol, gamma
tocopherol, and delta tocopherol
tocotrienols: alpha, beta, gamma, and delta tocotrienol
Each vitamin has a specific function in the body.
Food Sources of Vitamin E
• Asparagus
• Avocado
• Eggs
• Milk
• Nuts, such as almonds and hazelnuts
• Seeds
• Spinach and other green leafy vegetables
• Unheated vegetable oils
• Wheat germ
• Wholegrain foods
Functions in the Body
• Protects your skin from ultraviolet light which promotes
healthy skin and slows down the aging of skin
• Acts like an antioxidant and prevents cell damage from free
radicals
o Free radicals are atoms or groups of atoms that can
damage cellular components such as DNA or parts of
cells.
• Prevents oxidative stress [when oxygen containing
molecules become too reactive] by preventing oxygen
molecules from being too reactive
• Allows your cells to communicate effectively through a
process called "cell signaling"
• Helps protect against prostate cancer and Alzheimer's
disease
Who
• People more than 55 years of age
• Very low birth weight infants
• Those who abuse alcohol and other drugs
• Those with:
o cystic fibrosis
o celiac disease
o hyperthyroidism
o malnutrition
o liver, gallbladder, or pancreatic disease
Recommended Dietary Allowances
(RDAs) for vitamin E:
• Infants, 0-6 months: 4 milligrams
• Infants, 7-12 months: 5 milligrams
• Males and females, 1-3 years: 6 milligrams
• Males and females, 4-8 years: 7 milligrams
• Males and females, 9-13 years: 11 milligrams
• Males and females, 14 years and older: 15 milligrams
• Pregnant females, 18 years and older: 15 milligrams
• Lactating females, 18 years and older : 19 milligrams
Deficiency Symptoms and Effects
• Difficult to pinpoint deficiency in Vitamin E
• Fat malabsorption disorders are more likely to become
deficient
o The digestive tract requires fat to absorb vitamin E
• Problems that can arise from lack of Vitamin E are
pancreatic disease, gallbladder disease, liver disease, and
celiac disease.
• Peripheral Neuropathy: people who lack Vitamin E may
experience problems in their nervous system
Deficiency Symptoms and Effects cont.
• Patients with Vitamin E deficiency may show signs and
symptoms of hyporeflexia that progress to ataxia, including
limitations in upward gaze.
• Patients with severe, prolonged vitamin E deficiency may
develop complete blindness, cardiac arrhythmia, and
dementia.
• Patients may present with profound muscle weakness and
visual-field constriction.
Toxicity Symptoms
Having too much Vitamin E can also be a problem.
If taken in excess amounts [3000 IU+] people may experience
intestinal cramps and diarrhea, fatigue, double vision, and
muscle weakness.
Bibliography
1.
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=nutrient&dbid=1
11
2. http://dietary-
supplements.info.nih.gov/factsheets/vitamine.asp
3. http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/126187-overview