Vitamin E

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Categories: Vitamin

Type: Compound
Vitamin: E
Name: Antisterility Factor,Tocopherols,Tocotrienols
RDA: 30 IU
Importance- to Body:
An antioxidant that disarms free radicals; helps prevent oxidation of vitamins A and C in intestine; in tissues, decreases oxidation of unsaturated fatty acids, thus helps maintain integrity of cell membranes.
Distribution- in Body:
Group of related compounds called tocopherols, chemically related to sex hormones; stored primarily in muscle and adipose tissues; resistant to heat, light, acids; unstable in presence of oxygen.
Excess Effects:
Thrombophlebitis, Hypertension; Slow Wound Healing
Deficiency Effects:
Extremely rare, precise effects uncertain: possible Hemolysis of RBC’s, Macrocytic Anemia; Fragile Capillaries
Food Sources:
Vegetable oils, Margarine, Whole Grains, Dark-Green Leafy Vegetables, Seeds, Nuts
Environmental/Geographic Sources:
Supplemental information:

Synonyms:
Antisterility Factor,Tocopherols,Tocotrienols
Related Articles:
  • Anti-Aging Treatment – Anti-Oxidants
    The most common and readily available antioxidant though is Vitamin C and Vitamin E. Many of these types come from plants in the form of sterols and enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase and other peroxides.
  • Supplemental: Selenium
    Constituent of certain enzymes;, lipid metabolism, Antioxidant; (protects plasma membranes from breaking down), spares vitamin E.
  • Supplemental: Vitamin A
    Required for synthesis of photoreceptor pigments of rods and cones, integrity of skin and mucosae, normal tooth and bone development; normal reproductive capabilities; acts with vitamin E to stabilize cell membranes.
Vitamin_E (Wikipedia)
Vitamin E
Drug class
Tocopherol, alpha-.svg
The α-tocopherol form of vitamin E
Class identifiers
Use Vitamin E deficiency, antioxidant
ATC code A11H
Biological target Reactive oxygen species
Clinical data
Drugs.com MedFacts Natural Products
External links
MeSH D014810
In Wikidata

Vitamin E refers to a group of compounds that include both tocopherols and tocotrienols. Of the many different forms of vitamin E, γ-tocopherol is the most common form found in the North American diet. γ-Tocopherol can be found in corn oil, soybean oil, margarine, and dressings.α-tocopherol, the most biologically active form of vitamin E, is the second-most common form of vitamin E in the diet. This variant can be found most abundantly in wheat germ oil, sunflower, and safflower oils. As a fat-soluble antioxidant, it interrupts the propagation of reactive oxygen species that spread through biological membranes or through a fat when its lipid content undergoes oxidation by reacting with more-reactive lipid radicals to form more stable products. U.S. and European Union recommendations are to consume, respectively, 15 mg/day or 11 mg/day (female) and 13 mg/day (male).

Vitamin E was discovered in 1922, isolated in 1935 and first synthesized in 1938. Because the vitamin activity was first identified as essential for fertilized eggs to result in live births (in rats) it was given the name "tocopherol" from Greek words meaning birth and to bear or carry. Vitamin E is sold as a dietary supplement, either by itself or incorporated into a multi-vitamin product. It is also sold in topical products, although evidence for any benefits is questionable.

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