Vitamin E is a fat-soluble antioxidant that protects cells from free radical damage. It is found naturally in many foods like vegetable oils, nuts, and greens. The recommended daily allowance for vitamin E is 15 mg per day for adults, though some research suggests needs may vary individually. While rare, vitamin E deficiency can cause hemolytic anemia and nerve damage. High supplemental doses over 400 IU per day may increase health risks for older adults, so consultation with a healthcare provider is recommended before high dose supplementation.

1. VITAMIN E?
What you need to know
Kerry A McCullough
Kaplan University

2. VITAMIN E
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble compound that acts as an
antioxidant in the body by protecting against
oxidation by free radicals. According to Obeid and
Herrmann (2011), the mechanisms of action for
vitamin E are unknown and only the α-tocopherol
version of vitamin E is required by humans and
animals.

3. SOURCES
Vitamin E can be found in vegetable oils,
unprocessed cereal grains, fruits, nuts, vegetables,
and meat (Institute of Medicine, 2000).

4. Vitamin E is one of several vitamins considered
essential to cell growth, and body metabolism
(Johns Hopkins, 2004). It has been shown to
prevent fetal resoption in rats (Evans and Bishop
(1922) as reported by Obeid and Herrmann, 2011).
Vitamin E has also been used to alleviate side effects
associated with chemotherapy (Schlenker & Roth,
2011).
INDICATIONS AND USES

5. The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of
vitamin E, according to the Institute of Medicine
(2000), is the same for men and women (ages
14+), and is 15 mg daily with an upper limit of 1000
mg.
Hoffer and Saul (2008) suggest that the optimum
dose of vitamin E varies with the individual, and
that supplementary vitamin E may be required as,
“You cannot get even 100 IU per day from the most
well-designed of un-supplemented diets.”
MINIMUM DAILY REQUIREMENT

6. Obeid and Herrmann (2011) have stated that deficiency
in vitamin E is rare in humans, and “only as a result of
genetic abnormalities” (2011). However, according to
Schlenker and Roth (2011), hemolytic anemia is a
vitamin E deficiency disease.
DEFICIENCY

7. DEFICIENCY
Other situations in which vitamin E deficiency can
cause serious issues is with the nervous system,
which may affect physical movement and disruption
of the myelin that protects nerve cell axons, thereby
affecting messages to the muscles (Schlenker &
Roth, 2011).

8. CONCERNS, SIDE EFFECTS, INTERACTIONS
There appears to be no evidence of adverse side
effects from consuming natural sources of vitamin
E from food (Institute of Medicine, 2000). However,
the Institute of Medicine has suggested that,
“Adverse effects from Vitamin E containing
supplements may include hemorrhagic toxicity”
(2000).
A study conducted by Johns Hopkins Medicine (2004)
has shown high-dose vitamin E supplementation
(400 IU or more per day) to increase the risk of
death in older adults (over age 60).

9. CONCERNS, SIDE EFFECTS, INTERACTIONS
However, Schlenker and Roth (2011) state that daily
intakes of up to 3200 mg of a-tocoperhol, continued
for just a few weeks, does not produce any side
effects. Schlenker and Roth (2011) also indicate
that intake above the upper limits may affect blood
clotting.

10. CONCLUSION
Vitamin E seems to be a safe supplement to a
healthy diet if used with caution. However, if
considering its use, a consultation with a health
professional would be in order to address any
issues with drug interaction or complications that
may arise due to existing health conditions.

11. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary
Supplements provides helpful information in the
form of a Vitamin E Fact Sheet (2013) that may be
found at http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminE-
HealthProfessional/
Visit the U.S. Food and Drug Administration website
for information on this and other vitamins and
supplements at
http://www.fda.gov/Food/DietarySupplements/Using
DietarySupplements/ucm110567.htm

12. REFERENCES
 Hoffer, A. Saul, A. (2008). Orthomolecular Medicine for Everyone. Laguna Beach, CA: Basic
Health Publications, Inc.
 Institute of Medicine. (2000). Dietary Reference Intakes for vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium,
and carotenoids. Retrieved from http://www.iom.edu/reports/2000/dietary-reference-intakes-
for-vitamin-c-vitamin-e-selenium-and-carotenoids.aspx
 Institute of Medicine. (2000). Dietary Reference Intakes: Vitamins. Retrieved from
http://www.iom.edu/~/media/Files/Activity%20Files/Nutrition/DRIs/DRI_Vitamins.pdf
 Johns Hopkins Medicine. (2004). Study shows high-dose vitamin E supplements may
increase risk of dying. Retrieved from
http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/press_releases/2004/11_10_04.html
 National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. (2013). Vitamin E Fact Sheet for
Health Professionals. Retrieved from http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminE-
HealthProfessional/
 Obeid, R., & Herrmann, W. (2011). Vitamins in the Prevention of Human Diseases. Berlin: De
Gruyter.
 U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2002). Tips for Dietary Supplement Users Making
Informed Decisions and Evaluating Information. Retrieved from
http://www.fda.gov/Food/DietarySupplements/UsingDietarySupplements/ucm110567.htm
 Schlenker, Roth. (2011). Williams' Essentials of Nutrition and Diet Therapy [VitalSouce
bookshelf version]. Retrieved from http://online.vitalsource.com/books/978-0-323-06860-
4/id/B9780323068604000074_b0105