Vitamin E consists of eight naturally occurring tocopherols, with alpha-tocopherol being the most active. It acts as a strong antioxidant that prevents the formation of toxic products from lipid peroxidation and maintains the integrity of cell membranes. Vitamin E is found in vegetable oils, liver, eggs, fish, milk and green leafy vegetables. It is absorbed through the intestines with help from bile salts and transported through the bloodstream in chylomicrons and VLDL particles to tissues like muscle and fat. A deficiency can lead to hemolytic anemia and spinal cord lesions, while toxicity is rarely observed at doses under 300mg per day.

1. VITAMIN E
Maryam Fida (o-1827)
Source: Lippincott Biochemistry
Illustrated Reviews
World WideWeb

2. Vit. E
■ The E vitamins consist of eight naturally occurring tocopherols
■ α-tocopherol is the most active

3. Mechanism of action ofVit. E
■ Strong anti-oxidant
■ Prevents formation of toxic peroxidative products
■ Maintains integrity of the lipid moiety of cell membranes

4. Occurrence
■ Vegetable oils
■ Liver , egg, fish, milk
■ All green leafy vegetables

5. Absorption, Storage and Excretion
■ Bile salts increase its absorption
■ Enters blood stream in chylomicrons via lymph
■ Chylomicron remnant taken up by liver
■ Secreted inVLDL
■ Mainly occurs in muscle and adipose tissue

6. Deficiency ofVit. E
■ RBC’s become more susceptible to the hemolyzing action of H2O2
■ Cell survival time is decreased
■ May lead to Anemia
■ Lesions of the posterior white column of the spinal cord
■ Loss of reflexes, gait disturbances, decreased propioception and
vibratory sensations

7. Toxicity of vitamin E
■ Vitamin E is the least toxic of the fat-soluble vitamins, and no toxicity has
been observed at doses of 300 mg/day.