Vitamin E: A General Introduction
Vitamin E is generally associated as a powerful antioxidant involved in all biological systems for efficient metabolism of cells within the human body. Vitamin E is also used for the protection of certain fatty acids and vitamin A from unnecessary oxidation. Vitamin E is also strongly correlated with the ability to protect tissues from degradation.
Vitamin E: Understanding the Different Forms
There are eight known isomers (forms) of vitamin E that exist within the biological systems of the body. These isomers include the four tocotrienols and the four tocopherols, which are each divided into four categories of alpha, beta, gamma, and delta. The most common and active isomer present within the human body is alpha-tocopherol. In fact, this specific isomer is the only one actively maintained within the biological systems. Due to this fact, that alpha-tocopherol provides the most nutritional significance; dosing factors may be provided in Alpha Tocopherol Equivalents (ATE”s).
Vitamin E and Associated Conditions
Vitamin E is associated with the prevention and treatment of many disorders and diseases. A list of these has been generated below. These conditions have only been correlated with vitamin E treatments, and therefore more research is necessary to determine the actual function vitamin E serves for the reduction of symptoms in these conditions. This list was provided in an attempt to visually demonstrate how widely distributed vitamin E is within the body, hence why it is correlated with so many conditions. Vitamin E is essential to the human body for general health purposes.
- Anemia
- Steatohepatitis
- Retinitis pigmentosa
- Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency
- Neurotoxicity (Neural damage from chemotherapies)
- Angina
- Prevention of respiratory infections
- Antioxidant
- Prevention of heart disease
- Dementia
- Prevention of scars
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Macular degeneration
- Stroke
- Asthma
- Seizure disorders
- Diabetes mellitis
- Atherosclerosis
- Tardive dyskinesia
- Premenstrual syndrome
- Cancer (bladder, breast, colon, and prostate)
- Kidney disease (glomerulosclerosis)
- Cardiovascular disease
- Prevention of cataracts
- High cholesterol
- Dysmenorrhea
- General immune system functioning
- Parkinson’s disease
Vitamin E: Are You Getting Enough?
The optimal intake of vitamin E according to the provided percent daily values for the adult male is 15 milligrams. Vitamin E deficiencies is typically a rare occurrence, however, it is common for the average American to fall short of the recommended daily intake of Vitamin E. The prolonged affects of not acquiring adequate amounts of vitamin E on a daily basis is still under much scrutiny and research by the scientific community.
Vitamin E: A General Conclusion
The successful intake of adequate amounts of vitamin E determined by the recommended daily values is essential to overall general health. Vitamin E is present in many of the foods we eat, but it may be necessary to supplement your diet with vitamin E for assurance of meeting this daily need. It is obvious that all the affects of vitamin E are not understood, but many correlations exist linking vitamin E to many conditions.
Find a great daily vitamin here.
Sources:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vitamin-e/NS_patient-vitamin-e
http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/5000/5554.html
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/drug-information/DR601967
http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/vitamins/vitaminE/
