Vitamin E: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

P Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin.

T Function
P Vitamin E is an antioxidant. This means it protects body tissue from damage caused by substances called free radicals, which can harm cells, tissues, and organs. They are believed to play a role in certain conditions related to aging.
P The body also needs vitamin E to help keep the immune system strong against viruses and bacteria.
P Vitamin E is also important in the formation of red blood cells and it helps the body use vitamin K. It also helps widen blood vessels and keep blood from clotting inside them.
P Cells use vitamin E to interact with each other and carry out many important functions.
P Whether vitamin E can prevent cancer, heart disease, dementia, liver disease, and stroke still requires further research.

T Food Sources
P The best way to get the daily requirement of vitamin E is by eating food sources. Vitamin E is found in the following foods:
- Vegetable oils (such as wheat germ, sunflower, safflower, corn, and soybean oils)
- Nuts (such as almonds, peanuts, and hazelnuts/filberts)
- Seeds (such as sunflower seeds)
- Green leafy vegetables (such as spinach and broccoli)
- Fortified breakfast cereals, fruit juices, margarine, and spreads. Fortified means that vitamins have been added to the food. Check the Nutrition Fact Panel on the food label.
P Products made from these foods, such as margarine, also contain vitamin E.

T Side Effects
P Eating vitamin E in foods is not risky or harmful. However, high doses of vitamin E supplements might increase the risk for bleeding and serious bleeding in the brain.
P High levels of vitamin E may also increase the risk of birth defects.
P Low intake may lead to hemolytic anemia.

T Recommendations
P The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for vitamins reflect how much of each vitamin most people should get each day.
- The RDA for vitamins may be used as goals for each person.
- How much of each vitamin you need depends on your age and gender.
- Other factors, such as pregnancy, breast-feeding, and illnesses may increase the amount you need.
P The Food and Nutrition Board at the Institute of Medicine Recommended Intakes for individuals for vitamin E:
P Infants (adequate intake of vitamin E)
- 0 to 6 months: 4 mg/day
- 7 to 12 months: 5 mg/day
P Children
- 1 to 3 years: 6 mg/day
- 4 to 8 years: 7 mg/day
- 9 to 13 years: 11 mg/day
P Adolescents and adults
- 14 and older: 15 mg/day
- Pregnant teens and women: 15 mg/day
- Breastfeeding teens and women: 19 mg/day
P Ask your health care provider which amount is best for you.
P The highest safe level of vitamin E supplements for adults is 1,500 IU/day for natural forms of vitamin E, and 1,000 IU/day for the man-made (synthetic) form.

T Alternative Names
P Alpha-tocopherol; Gamma-tocopherol

T Images
- Vitamin E benefit
- Vitamin E source
- Vitamin E and heart disease

T References
P Institute of Medicine. Food and Nutrition Board. Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Selenium, and Carotenoids. National Academies Press. Washington, DC, 2000. PMID: 25077263 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25077263.
P Mason JB. Vitamins, trace minerals, and other micronutrients. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 25th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 218.
P Salwen MJ. Vitamins and trace elements. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 23rd ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2017:chap 26.

T Review Date 1/7/2017
P Updated by: Emily Wax, RD, The Brooklyn Hospital Center, Brooklyn, NY. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

