What is Vitamin E and what does it do in the body?

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin with antioxidant properties. It was discovered in 1922 during experiments on rats. When the rats were fed a diet without vitamin E, the rats became infertile and their fertility was restored when vitamin E was added back into the diet. Thus it became known as the anti sterility vitamin. 

Vitamin E is absorbed from the intestines along with fat and bile salts and is carried to the liver to be used or stored. Vitamin E is not stored in the body as well as other fat-soluble vitamins: A, D, and K. More than half of any excess is lost in the feces, but some vitamin E is stored in the fatty tissues and the liver. 

The primary function of vitamin E is as an antioxidant; it helps reduce oxidation of lipid membranes and the unsaturated fatty acids and prevents the breakdown of other nutrients by oxygen. To read more about antioxidants, check out our antioxidants monograph.

 

This function of vitamin E is also enhanced by other antioxidants, including vitamin C, beta-carotene, glutathione, Coq10, and selenium; the recycling process for vitamin E required beta-carotene, vitamin C, flavonoids, and Coq10. Oxidation of substances in the body such as fat molecules and eating oxidized fats such as hydrogenated and rancid oils causes the genesis of free radicals, which can lead to chronic inflammation. Vitamin E protects cell membranes, active enzyme sites, and DNA from free radical damage. 

As an antioxidant, vitamin E helps to stabilize cell membranes and protect the tissues of the skin, eyes, liver, breasts, and testes from oxidation. It protects the lungs from oxidative damage due to environmental substances. It helps to maintain the activity of vitamin A, protects unsaturated fatty acids in the body, and prevents the oxidation of hormones such as those released from the pituitary and adrenal glands. As an antioxidant it is also helpful for preventing cancer because free radical formation and oxidation are related to cancer development. 

For the cardiovascular system, Vitamin E has some anti-clotting properties and protects red blood cell membranes from oxidative damage. It may help improve stamina and endurance and reduce cardiovascular disease risk by improving the functioning of heart and muscle cell respiration with less oxygen. Vitamin E has been shown to reduce platelet aggregation and adhesiveness to collagen, even performing better than aspirin. In this way it could help with the risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. 

With regards to surgery, vitamin E has been shown to neutralize free radicals generated during surgery, particularly in cardiopulmonary bypass surgery. It also protects against the toxicity of some of the gases used in anesthesia.

Vitamin E also plays a role in the modulation of cellular signaling, enzymatic activity, and the modification of gene transcription and expression. 

Vitamin E may also be helpful in supporting cholesterol levels. Studies have shown that higher vitamin E intake was associated with lower total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels, and with higher HDL cholesterol levels. 

 

What are some causes of Vitamin E deficiency?

Much of the Vitamin E in whole foods is lost when frying in oil, processing and milling foods, bleaching flours, and cooking. Vitamin E is also lost in the refinement and purification of vegetable oils. Vitamin E is also depleted by unsaturated oils and estrogen. 

Severe deficiency in humans is rare and normally occurs with fat malabsorption disorders. Premature infants are at risk of deficiency because they are born with limited vitamin E stores, have inefficient absorption and quickly use up stores due to rapid growth. Cigarette smokers have an increased risk of deficiency because of the increased utilization of vitamin E with cigarette smoking. Deficiency is also more likely in adults with gastrointestinal disease, poor digestion and metabolism, or with pancreatic insufficiency. 

Conditions associated with low vitamin E include acne, anemia, infections, cancer, periodontal disease, cholesterol, gallstones, neuromuscular diseases, dementia, and Alzheimer’s. 

Increased oxidation also leads to an increased requirement for vitamin E. 

Marginal sub clinical deficiency is relatively common. Lower vitamin E levels may cause increased risk of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and stroke. 

General signs and symptoms of vitamin E deficiency include lethargy, apathy, reduced concentration and a lower immune response. The first sign of vitamin E deficiency may be loss of red blood cells due to fragility caused by loss of cell membrane protection or by oxidized polyunsaturated fatty acids weakening the cell membranes and causing rupture. It is hard to diagnose symptomatically due to its wide range of effects on the nervous, reproductive, muscular, and circulatory systems; other nutrients may also mask a vitamin E deficiency. 

Decrease in cell protection may lead to abnormal fat deposits in muscles, muscle wasting, and problems in the kidneys and liver due to circulating dead cells and the release of toxins. Men may have changed in the testicular tissue from vitamin E deficiency. Vitamin E deficiency may also affect a woman's ability to carry pregnancy to term and may increase the likelihood of premature birth. 

 

What is Vitamin E used for?

Vitamin E may be useful for prevention of aging in and chronic diseases due to its protection of cells and tissues against oxidation and injury from unstable molecules, pollution, and fats. Aging, tissue degeneration, and skin changes may be due to free radical damage to cells unprotected by antioxidants. 

Vitamin E may also help protect against cancer, heart, and vascular disease because of its antioxidant activity. Decreased blood clotting and increased tissue oxygenation from vitamin E may also help reduce symptoms of heart and vascular conditions like angina pectoris, arterial spasm, and intermittent claudication. Vitamin E may also help reduce symptoms caused by impaired tissue oxygenation in congenital and rheumatic heart diseases. 

Vitamin E may be helpful along with other nutrients for depression and general mood support. For more information on depression, check out our depression blog. 

 

Vitamin E may help to prevent atherosclerosis. It helps reduce thrombin formation and thus decreased blood clotting and also may minimize platelet aggregation and stickiness. 

Vitamin E may be used before and after surgery. It helps assist in healing and minimizes clotting. It also helps neutralize free radical formation that may occur in surgery as well. 

Vitamin E is also helpful both internally and externally for healing. It can be used for repairing skin lesions, ulcers, burns, abrasions, dry skin, and to heal or finish scars from injury or surgery. Decreasing internal scars may help to resolve damage from inflammation of blood vessels and may reduce the potential for clotting and thrombophlebitis. Vitamin E along with vitamin C and bioflavonoids may be useful in preventing the progression of varicose veins. For more information on vitamin C and bioflavonoids, check out our vitamin C monograph. 

Vitamin E may also be helpful for menstrual pain and other menstrual related disorders. Menopause symptoms such as hot flashes and vaginal itching due to dryness may be reduced by supplementing vitamin E. Vitamin E has been used to support fibrocystic breast disease, or cystic mastitis, most likely due to its protective mechanisms against estrogen. 

Vitamin E may help protect the cell membranes and lung tissue from pollution in the air. It may also provide some cardiac protection from smoke and alcohol. 

Vitamin E may be useful for enhancing immunity in treating viral illnesses and in reducing neurologic pain from shingles. 

It may help prevent eye problems such as poor vision and cataracts that may be caused by the oxidation of fatty tissues and free radical formation causing inflammatory damage. 

Vitamin E may also be supportive for tinnitus. For more information on Tinnitus, check out our Tinnitus blog. 

 

Leg cramps and circulatory problems related to diabetes may be supported by vitamin E. 

Other conditions that may be supported by vitamin E include anemia, Alzheimer’s, hyperlipidemia, rheumatoid arthritis, prostate cancer prevention, sunburn prevention, autoimmune disease, cancer, cerebral thrombosis prevention, dermatitis, diabetes, herpes infection, impotence, menopause, miscarriage prevention, muscle cramps, osteoarthritis, peptic ulcers, periodontal disease, PMS, vascular fragility, dermatitis, lupus rash, and skin ulcers. 

 

What are the available forms of Vitamin E?

Vitamin E is split into two subgroups: tocopherols and tocotrienols, which both have an alpha, beta, delta, and gamma form. Both groups have the same chromanol ring structure for antioxidant activity, but their molecular tails are different. Tocopherols have a saturated side chain, which makes the structure less flexible. On the other hand, tocotrienols have an unsaturated isoprenoid side chain with three double bonds. This makes their molecular structure shorter and more flexible, allowing them to move more efficiently within cell membranes. 

The tocopherols are powerful antioxidants. Alpha tocopherols is the most active and is dominant in the body due to specific mechanisms that favor its accumulation, such as the liver binding alpha tocopherol to plasma lipoproteins. Beta, delta, and gamma tocopherol all complement the antioxidant effects of alpha tocopherol. Studies have shown that delta tocopherol protects the pancreatic beta cells from apoptosis induced by nitric oxide-triggered cytokine activation. 

 

For a combination of all the tocopherols for their combined antioxidant effects, try Natural Vitamin E Mixed Tocopherols Ortho Molecular Products , Ultimate-E Thorne, or Vitamin E Mixed Tocopherols Metagenics. For mainly vitamin E as alpha tocopherol, but accompanied by the other tocopherols, try Vitamin E Arcana.  

Tocotrienols have powerful antioxidant properties with their unique structure allowing them to integrate effectively into cell membranes to provide better defense against oxidative stress compared to tocopherols. With regards to cardiovascular health, tocotrienols have been shown to help support cholesterol levels and arterial health. They can inhibit the activity of HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme involved in cholesterol production, and they may help reduce inflammation and improve lipid profiles.  

Tocotrienols also have been shown to exert neuro protective effects, guarding brain cells from oxidative damage. They may combat inflammatory factors and oxidative stress related to neurodegenerative conditions. Alpha-tocotrienols have specifically shown benefits for brain health. 

Research has also shown that tocotrienols may have anti-cancer properties. Studies have shown that they may suppress the proliferation of tumor cells and induce programmed cell death. They may also inhibit the growth of new blood vessels that are needed to keep tumors growing. Different forms of tocotrienols may be effective in fighting certain cancer cells such as breast, liver, colon, and prostate. 

For vitamin E as delta and gamma tocotrienols, try Annatto Tocotrienols Cardiovascular Research or Delta-Fraction Tocotrienols Allergy Research Group. 

For a mix of tocotrienols and tocopherols, try Gamma E Tocopherols and Tocotrienols Life Extension or Xcellent E Xymogen. 

Common esterified derivatives of vitamin E include tocopherol succinate, tocopheryl acetate, tocopheryl nicotinate, tocopherol palmitate, tocopherol linoleate, tocopherol phosphate, and tocopherol retinoate. Studies have shown that compared with traditional vitamin E, these esterified derivatives may have other functions and properties.

The phenolic hydroxyl group of Tocopheryl succinate is protected compared to tocopherol, which makes it less susceptible to oxidation and improves its chemical stability. It has antioxidant properties and may also have moisturizing effects. An option for this form of vitamin E is Vitamin E + Selenium Metagenics, with the addition of selenium increasing the antioxidant effects of vitamin E. 

For a vitamin E suppository that may support vaginal dryness, as well as dryness in the rectum, try Key E Vitamin E suppositories Carlson. 

 

What are food sources of Vitamin E?

The animal sources of vitamin E are fairly poor; some is found in butter, egg yolk, milk fat, and liver. The best food sources of vitamin E are the oil components of all grains, seeds, and nuts. Wheat germ oil is a rich source of vitamin E. The cold-pressed oils are the best sources of vitamin E, best used in their raw form rather than cooking. Other foods that have a little bit of Vitamin E in them include soybeans, uncooked green peas, spinach, asparagus, kale, cucumber, tomato, and celery. 

 

What are contraindications of Vitamin E?

Large doses of vitamin E are generally avoided for people with high blood pressure. Higher doses are also concerning for people with rheumatic heart disease, and people undergoing digitalis or anticoagulant therapy due to vitamin E enhancing the anticoagulant effects of these medicines. People deficient in vitamin K should also be careful with vitamin E supplementation. 

 

What are the side effects of taking Vitamin E?

High intakes of vitamin E oil can cause nausea, diarrhea, or flatulence in some people. Long term effects of higher doses of vitamin E supplementation may cause blurred vision, dizziness, headache, nausea or stomach cramps, and unusual tiredness or weakness.  

 

 

 

References

Biology Insights. (2025, July 30). Tocotrienol Vitamin E: Benefits and what you need to know. Biology Insights. https://biologyinsights.com/tocotrienol-vitamin-e-benefits-and-what-you-need-to-know/

BOC Sciences. Vitamin E: Tocopherols and Tocotrienols and their Derivatives. BOC Sciences: Best of Chemicals. https://www.bocsci.com/resources/vitamin-e-tocopherols-and-tocotrienols-and-their-derivatives.html 

Drugs.com. ( 2023, Dec. 11). Vitamin E Side Effects. Drugs.com. https://www.drugs.com/sfx/vitamin-e-side-effects.html

Haas, E.M. (2006). Staying Healthy with Nutrition: The Complete Guide to Diet and Nutritional Medicine: 21st Edition. Ten Speed Press. 

Hechtman, Leah. (2019). Clinical Naturopathic Medicine: Second Edition. Elsevier.

Wang, Y., Li, H., Zhang, Z. et al. The association between vitamin E intake and remnant cholesterol, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in US adults: a cross-sectional study. Lipids Health Dis 23, 325 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12944-024-02313-8