Vitamin E

							Vitamin E
       By
 Lauren Gervase
Vitamin E
   Vitamin E is also
    known as:

   Alpha-tocopherol,
    tocopherol,
    tocotrienol
Tocopherol Chemical Composition

    The term tocol is the trivial designation for 2-
     methyl-2-(4,8,12-trimethyltridecyl)chroman-
     6-ol (I, R1 = R2 = R3 = H)
                           

    1.3. Tocopherol(s).
    The term tocopherol(s) should be used as a
     generic descriptor for all mono, di, and
     trimethyltocols. Thus, this term is not
     synonymous with the term vitamin E.
Tocopherol Chemical
Composition
    Functions of Vitamin E

   Antioxidant
   Regulates oxidation reactions
   Cell-membrane stability
   Protects polyunsaturated fatty acids and
    Vitamin A
Antioxidant Nutrients
   Vitamin E, as well as Vitamin C and beta-
    carotene play an important role in the body’s
    defense against oxidative damage.
   Antioxidants take free radicals and inactivate
    them.
   It is important that Vitamin E is in the tissues,
    such as the brain and lungs which contain
    polyunsaturated fats.
Signs and Symptoms of Vitamin E
     Deficiency

      Red blood cell breakage
      Anemia – decreased Red blood cells
      Neuropathy – Nerve cells become
       deadened to feeling
      Weakness
      Difficulty walking
Dietary Sources
                     Wheat germ oil
                     Wheat germ
                     Sunflower seeds
                     Sunflower oil
                     Cottonseed oil
                     Canola oil
                     Brazil nuts
                     Hazelnuts
Dietary Sources (continued)
   Peanut butter
   Papaya
   Avocado
   Mango
   Mustard greens
   Broccoli
   Butter
Recommended Daily Intake

   Males:     15 mg



   Females:   15 mg
People At Risk For Not getting
Enough Vitamin E

   Premature infants

   People with stomach and intestinal
    diseases
Supplementing Vitamin E
   Recent studies with high doses of
    supplemental Vitamin E (67 + mg) have
    shown cardiovascular risk reduction,
    however high dose supplementation of
    Vitamin E is a controversial issue and
    more data is needed.
Complications Related To
Taking Vitamin E
   In high doses (more than 670 mg)
    Vitamin E can cause gas, nausea,
    diarrhea, hemorrhage, and heart
    palpitations
   Taking Vitamin E with blood thinning
    medication increases the risk of
    abnormal bleeding
Vitamin E Conversion

   To convert international unit (IU)
    of Vitamin E to mg of Vitamin E,
    multiply by 0.67.
References

   www.nal.usda.gov/fnic
   http://www.canolainfo.org/pdf/VitE.pdf
   www.webdietician.com
   www.healthnotes.com
   www.canola-council.org