Vitamin E is a group of compounds called tocopherols and tocotrienols that are important antioxidants. It is found in plant oils, nuts, seeds, and vegetables. Vitamin E is absorbed with fat and transported through the body attached to lipoproteins, where it helps protect cell membranes from free radical damage as a chain-breaking antioxidant. Recommended daily intakes range from 4-15 mg per day depending on age, with higher amounts for pregnant and breastfeeding women.

1. Vitamin E

2. • Vitamin E is chemically known as
tocopherol
• Greek: tocos = childbirth
piro = to bear
ol = alcohol
• An alcohol capable to prevent reproductive
failure in animal
• Hence known as anti-sterility vitamin
• Vitamin E is the given name to group of
TOCOPHEROLS and TOCOTRIENOLS

3. • About 8 tocopherols have been identified
• D-α-tocopherol is most active, and it is usual to express
vitamin E intake in terms of milligrams D-α-tocopherol
equivalents.
• Tocopherols are derivatives of 6-hydroxy chromane (tocol)
ring with isoprenoid side chain
• Vitamin E is the major lipid-soluble antioxidant in cell
membranes & plasma lipoproteins
• The main function of vitamin E is as a chain-breaking, free
radical– trapping antioxidant
• The antioxidant property is due to chromane ring

4. • Vitamin E is particularly abundant in vegetable oils and derivative foods such as
margarine and shortening.
• Leafy green vegetables are also rich in vitamin E.
• Vitamin E is found in plant-based oils, nuts, seeds, fruits, and vegetables.
• Wheat germ oil
• Sunflower, safflower, and soybean oil
• Sunflower seeds
• Almonds
• Peanuts, peanut butter
• Beet greens, collard greens, spinach
• Pumpkin
• Red bell pepper
• Asparagus
• Mangoes
• Avocados

5. ABSORPTION AND METABOLISM OF
VITAMIN E

6. • Vitamin E is absorbed along with fat
in the upper small intestine
• Vitamin E combines with Bile salts
(micelles) to form mixed micelle and
taken up by the mucosal cell
• In the mucosal cell, it is
incorporated into chylomicrons and
enters the circulation via lymph
nodes

7. • In the circulation, chylomicrons transport
vitamin E to the peripheral tissue or to
the liver
• The hydrolysis of chylomicrons by
lipoprotein lipase enzymes in the
circulation allows the transfer of vitamin
E to tissues, the chylomicron remnants
will also be taken up by the liver.
• Hepatic vitamin E is incorporated to VLDL
• In the circulation, VLDL is converted LDL
• Vitamin E is transported with LDL to
reach the peripheral tissues
• Storage: Mainly stored in liver and
adipose tissue
Lipoprotein lipase

8. Recommended Daily Amount
The Food and Nutrition Board at the Institute of Medicine Recommended Intakes for
individuals for vitamin E
 Infants (adequate intake of vitamin E)
0 to 6 months: 4 mg/day
7 to 12 months: 5 mg/day
 Children
1 to 3 years: 6 mg/day
4 to 8 years: 7 mg/day
9 to 13 years: 11 mg/day
 Adolescents and adults
14 and older: 15 mg/day
 Pregnant teens and women: 15 mg/day
 Breastfeeding teens and women: 19 mg/day