Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin which plays an important role as an antioxidant in the body. It prevents free radical damage to specific fats in the body that are critical for our health, and it is required for the proper function of many organs. Vitamin E benefits include treating and preventing diseases of the heart and blood vessels; such as chest pains, high blood pressure, and blocked or hardened arteries.
Vitamin E has been found to have the following benefits:
- Balances Chesterol
- Fights Free Radicals & Prevents Disease Development
- Repairs Damaged Skin
- Thickens Hair
- Balances Hormones
- Helps PMS Symptoms
- Improves Vision
- Helps People with Alzheimer’s Disease
- Improves Effects of Medical Treatments such as Radiation & Dialysis
- Improves Physical Endurance & Muscle Strength
Health Problem Associated to Vitamin E Deficiency:
- Anxiety – Low vitamin D status is linked to anxiety. Animal studies confirm the role of vitamins D and E in reducing anxiety-related behavior.
- Asthma – In pulmonary epithelial tissue (inside surface of lungs), vitamin E fights inflammatory enzymes that cause asthmatic symptoms.
- Depression – Oxidative stress in the brain alters neurotransmitter function. Antioxidants protect our brain which is very sensitive to oxidation. Several antioxidants – Vitamins A, C and E, Lipoic Acid, CoQ10, Glutathione and Cysteine – play a key role in prevention and treatment of depression.
- Diabetes – Confers prtection against diabetes by protecting pancreatic B-cells from oxidative stress induced damage. May prevent progression of type 1 diabetes.
- Estrogen – Deficiency impairs estrogen detoxification pathway. Some forms of vitamin E inhibit estrogen action, especially in breast tissue. Low levels linked to higher estrogen.
- Fatigue – Inverse correlation exists between fatigue and Vitamin E levels.
- Female Fertility – Protects reproductive cells (follicles). May improve endometrial response (ability of fertilized egg to implant into uterine wall properly) during IVF.
- Fibromyalgia – Low antioxidant status (glutathione, cysteine, CoQ10, selenium, alpha lipoic acid, and vitamin c) increases pain in fibromyalgia, which is often considered an oxidative stress disorder.
- Hypothyroidism – Vitamin E and C partially restores thyroid function when liver detoxification ability is compromised.
- Hypertension – Increases nitric oxide synthase, an enzyme that causes blood vessels to dilate. Protects blood vessels from damage.
- Inflammation – Limits destructive cell behavior caused by inflammatory enzymes gone wild. Reduces damage from tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a). Deficiency predisposes a person to inflammation-related diseases.
- Pain – Clinical trials show antioxidant therapy is an effective treatment for chronic pain. Vitamin E reduces neuropathic pain. Vitamin C can lower morphine consumption after surgery. Coenzyme Q10 relieves statin-induced myopathy.
- Sleep Apnea – Mitigates the oxidative stress seen in sleep apnea patients. Works synergistically with Vitamin C.
- Sports Nutrition – Intense training causes cellular stress. Vitamin E protects the enzymes responsible for repairing this cellular damage.
- Telomeres – Enhances DNA repair as well as removal of damaged DNA. Shown in vitro to restore telomere length on human cells.
- Testosterone – Long term administration of some forms of Vitamin E may reduce testosterone levels.
- Weight Management – Inhibits pre-fat cells from changing into mature fat cells, thus reducing body fat.
How to Acquire Vitamin E (A-tocopherol):
- Sunflower Seeds
- Almonds
- Hazelnut
- Mango
- Avocado
- Butternut Squash
- Broccoli
- Spinach
- Kiwi
- Tomato
