Vitamin E: its meaning, sources, causes of deficiency and toxicity "E"
Medically, Dr. Shunmuha Priya, Ph.D. in food and nutrition science
Vitamin E or tocopherol is an important vitamin with antioxidant properties that is soluble in fat. It is an essential nutrient for good health. It is readily available in various supplements and products. The most effective way to consume this vitamin is a healthy, balanced diet.
Deficiency is rare; However, many people have decided to overdose with supplements, and this has become a huge problem.
In most cases, people with special types of genetic disorders and premature low birth weight babies are more likely to be deficient in vitamin E.
Like any other supplement or medicine, too much of this vitamin can lead to toxicity. If you take too much vitamin E orally, this increases the risk of prostate cancer. There are other serious risks, especially if taken in large doses.
In addition, if you have a stroke or heart attack, it is always safer to talk to your doctor first before choosing vitamin E supplements.
What is vitamin E?
Vitamin E is a vital nutrient that plays an important role in the reproduction, vision, and health status of your brain, skin, and blood. Due to its antioxidant properties, it also protects you from free radicals.
However, if you are taking vitamin E for antioxidant properties, it is important to note that it may not give you the same benefits as foods that contain antioxidants in nature.
Vitamin E is commonly found in 8 chemical forms. With proper tests, the doctor should be able to know how much a single person has. Using this information, the doctor will be able to determine the level of vitamin E.[1]
The need for vitamin E
In addition to having antioxidant properties, vitamin E improves the human immune system. This makes it so that it can fight viruses and bacteria that can enter your body.
It also plays an important role in the expansion of blood vessels, so that blood coagulation does not occur. In addition, cells use vitamin E to perform various vital functions.
Vitamin E is also crucial when it comes to vision. According to various studies that have been conducted, the results show that vitamin E has a high level of serum tocopherol, which reduces the likelihood of developing cataracts in the elderly.
Vitamin A is also needed for the production of prostaglandins. These are hormone-like substances that are vital for the regulation of various body processes, such as muscle contraction and blood pressure.
In addition, other studies have shown that it also helps in muscle recovery, especially after training.[2]
Vitamin E for your hair
Studies have shown that vitamin E plays an important role in the health of hair and scalp. Vitamin E studies are still underway.
The following are some of the health benefits of vitamin E.
1. Prevention of hair loss
Vitamin E improves hair growth, especially for those who suffer from hair loss. It has been found that its antioxidant properties reduce oxidative stress on the scalp.
2. Balancing oil production
When it comes to creating a healthy protective barrier on the surface of the scalp, vitamin E is crucial. A barrier is vital because it helps block moisture. Having irritated, dry scalp can be a sure sign that you are deficient in vitamin E.
3. Better scalp circulation
Vitamin E helps with blood flow, which in turn improves hair growth and health.[3]
Vitamin E for your face and skin
You can use vitamin E oil to reduce inflammation. Topical application of oil also helps make your skin brighter and younger. Many people claim to take advantage of the vitamin, especially when used overnight.
The vitamin also fights free radicals that can be caused by air pollution or excessive sun exposure. In a word, it protects your skin from damage.
Thanks to its healing and moisturizing properties, it helps strengthen the barrier function of your skin.[5]
What is the role of vitamin E in the elderly?
Research is still underway to find out the exact effects of vitamin E on older people. However, some studies have shown that older people who consume or use vitamin A after their current DRI may have some effects.
One of the main effects is that they can ultimately increase their susceptibility to biological changes that are related to age. Most often, they are associated with inflammation, immune function and resistance to infections.
Vitamin E Deficiency Risks
As mentioned above, vitamin E is essential for the body to function properly. When you have low vitamin levels, this can lead to the following:
1. Walking and coordination difficulties
When you lack a normal level of vitamin E, specific neurons called Purkinje neurons begin to break down. When this happens, it becomes difficult for your body to transmit much-needed signals.
2. muscle weakness
When it comes to the central nervous system, vitamin E plays a crucial role. Since it is part of the main antioxidants in the body, low levels of vitamin E lead to oxidative stress. As a result, your muscles are negatively affected and they become weak.
3. Vision impairment
Low levels of vitamin E weaken the light receptors in your retina and all other cells in your eyes. Over a long period, this can lead to loss of vision.
4. Tingling and numbness
When your nerve fibers are damaged, this makes proper signaling impossible. Damage to your nerve fibers is what causes tingling and numbness, better called peripheral neuropathy.
5. Problems with your immune system
Some researchers suggest that low levels of vitamin E deficiency may suppress the functioning of your immune cells. Older people are more prone to this. [6]
Electronic deficit
Vitamin E deficiency is a rare condition, although there are people who are prone to it compared to others. People who are more likely to suffer from E deficiency are people with abetalipoproteinemia and impaired absorption of fat.
Abetalipoproteinemia is a genetic disease that prevents the body from absorbing dietary fats from food. Conditions such as ataxia, anemia, skeletal myopathy, retinopathy, peripheral neuropathy, nerve damage and impaired immune systems are some of the signs that you may have a vitamin E deficiency.
Causes of Vitamin E Deficiency
1. Medical conditions
This deficiency may be the result of a person suffering from a disease that reduces fat absorption. Want to know how? Well, the body must have fat so that it can properly absorb vitamin E. Some of the diseases that can cause this include:
- Cholestatic liver disease
- Chronic pancreatitis
- Cystic fibrosis
- Celiac disease
- Short bowel syndrome
- Crohn's disease
This type of deficiency, as mentioned earlier, is also common in premature babies and newborns. This prevalence is especially common in children who have less fat and have low birth weight.
Premature babies are at higher risk because an immature digestive tract can ultimately interfere with vitamin E and fat absorption. In addition, this deficiency can lead to a condition known as hemolytic anemia, which seriously destroys red blood cells.
2. Genetics
Vitamin E deficiency is a condition that can occur in the family. After spending a little time studying your family history, you can more easily diagnose the disease.
The most common types are isolated familial deficiency and congenital abetalipoproteinemia, which are chronic and result from vitamin E deficiency.[7]
Vitamin E deficiency in India
In accordance with the studies, it was found that there is a moderate deficit to moderate deficiency.
This study was found to result from inadequate intake of foods rich in vitamin E and intestinal malabsorption as the main causes. The study showed that it mainly affects women of reproductive age, the elderly and growing children.
However, the severity of vitamin E deficiency in India is still being investigated. In addition, there is the problem of determining the status of vitamin E in healthy adults.
This problem is the result of various age-related changes, plasma lipid levels and sources of vitamin E consumed.[8]
Sources of Vitamin E
Vitamin E is found in foods rich in fats. These products include:
- Nuts such as peanuts, almonds, hazelnuts and hazelnuts
- Vegetable oils such as sunflower, wheat germ, soybean oil, safflower and corn
- Canned tuna in oil
- Breakfast cereals enriched with margarine, fruit juices and spreads
- Seeds like sunflower seeds
When we talk about enriched, it means that vitamins are added to the food. It is always advisable to take the time to read the nutrition facts on the back of the label. [9]
Obesity and Vitamin E
Unfortunately, many people do not understand the dangers associated with obesity.
Studies show that obese people should have a balanced diet that contains enough vitamin E. This is mainly because obese people require more than what is considered a normal level.
Why? Well, this is due to their unhealthy weight, and other problems associated with this tend to increase oxidative stress.
Because of the above, the effective use of vitamin E is prevented, mainly due to lack of absorption.
In addition, studies have shown that the tissues of obese people refuse to consume the necessary lipids, as there is enough fat in their body. As a result of this, the body also refuses vitamin E. This, along with oxidative stress, is the reason for the insufficient absorption of vitamin E.
A reasonable way to maintain a healthy body is to eat a balanced diet while taking the required level of vitamin E. If you decide to choose supplements, always include foods rich in vitamin E in your diet to ensure better absorption.[10]
Vitamin E Toxicity
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin, which means that the body will store it. This means that the excess is not usually washed out through the urinary tract. After a while, it can accumulate to a level that is considered toxic. However, this is rare.
The correct dosage and amount of vitamin E should always be taken at the recommended dosage. Excessively excessive amounts can have a negative effect on the body. In addition, vitamin E can block the absorption of vitamin K and A.
In addition, this can lead to lower LDL cholesterol (low density lipoproteins). It has been found that these effects occur when the daily dose is more than 400 IU.
Despite the fact that vitamin E is found in supplements and fortified foods, it is always recommended to use it in quantities measured in mg. Since patients can also use the vitamin as a mild diluent, it is advisable not to use it, especially after surgery. [11]
Conclusion
Vitamin E plays an important role in the human body. As already mentioned, it is important to make sure that you are getting the right level of vitamin E.
However, make sure you do not overdo it. If you suffer from E deficiency, always contact your doctor or specialist in this area first. In addition, do not choose any diets without knowing its pros and cons.
It is noteworthy that research and studies are still being conducted on vitamin E.