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Vitamin E - properties, effects, occurrence, dosage

Vitamin E has oxidative properties, cares for visual health and also supports the cardiovascular system.

Ludwik Jelonek - AuthorAuthorLudwik Jelonek
Ludwik Jelonek - Author
AuthorLudwik Jelonek
Natu.Care Editor

Ludwik Jelonek is the author of more than 2,500 texts published on leading portals. His content has found its way into services such as Ostrovit and Kobieta Onet. At Natu.Care, Ludwik educates people in the most important area of life - health.

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Marta Kaczorek - Reviewed byReviewed byMarta Kaczorek
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Michael Tomaszewski - Edited byEdited byMichael Tomaszewski
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Graduate of Journalism and Artes Liberales at the University of Warsaw. Since 2017, he has been working with the biggest portals in Poland and abroad as an editor. Previously worked for 3 years in one of the leading pharmaceutical companies - he knows the health and beauty industry inside out. In his free time, he most enjoys playing tennis or skiing.

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Emilia Moskal - Fact-checkingFact-checkingEmilia Moskal
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Emilia Moskal specialises in medical and psychological texts, including content for medical entities. She is a fan of simple language and reader-friendly communication. At Natu.Care, she writes educational articles.

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Vitamin E - properties, effects, occurrence, dosage
29 April, 2024
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Vitamin E also known as the vitamin of youth is responsible for many functions in the body. It has oxidative properties, cares for eye health, and supports the cardiovascular system. Find out how to take advantage of the valuable properties of vitamin E. 

Are you feeling irritable? Having trouble concentrating? Has your eyesight deteriorated? If the answer to these questions is yes, it is very possible that you are suffering from a vitamin E deficiency. It is extremely important for the health of our body. It reduces oxidative stress, reduces the risk of heart disease and also affects cognitive function. Learn all about vitamin E from this article. 

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Description of contents:

  1. What is vitamin E?
  2. .
  3. Properties of vitamin E
  4. .
  5. In which products is vitamin E found?
  6. Vitamin E deficiency
  7. .
  8. Excess vitamin E
  9. .
  10. Vitamin E - supplementation
  11. .
  12. Vitamin E during pregnancy
  13. .
  14. Interactions of vitamin E with medications
  15. .
  16. Summary
  17. .
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What is vitamin E?

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Vitamin Eand is a fat-soluble vitamin found in several forms. It consists of eight compounds, the most important of which is alpha-tocopherol. 

Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant - neutralising free radicalsand. It also affects the immune and circulatory systems. It is essential for the proper functioning of the body. 

Properties of vitamin E

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Vitamin E plays many roles in the body. It is renowned for its antioxidant properties, but it also has a number of other benefits.

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Vitamins are compounds that are essential to our health. We are unable to produce them ourselves - vitamins must be taken in with the diet. Vitamin E is no different. Most people take it with food, but sometimes this is not enough. In such cases, supplementation is indicated.
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Magdalena Ciura.

Magdalena Ciura Pharmacy technician

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Antioxidant activity

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Oxidative stress  leads to damage to the body's cells, as well as an increased risk of diseases such as multiple sclerosis or Parkinson's or Alzheimer's diseaseand. Vitamin E is a very powerful antioxidant.  Studiesand suggest that its supplementation reduces oxidative stress and also enhances antioxidant protection.

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A-tocopherol in the diet (100 mg/kg) reduces the negative effects of tobacco smoke associated with inducing oxidative stress.
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Marta Kaczorek.

Marta Kaczorek Clinical nutritionist

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Reducing the risk of heart disease

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High blood pressure and bad cholesterol increase the risk of heart disease. Research indicates that taking  vitamin E, reduces the likelihood of these conditionsand. It is worth noting that supplementation  vitamin of youth  with omega-3 acids also reduces the risk of heart diseaseand.

You can read more about omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in the text: Omega-3 in tablets: ranking the best products

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Promoting skin health

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Vitamin E  is an ingredient in many cosmetic productsand. It softens the skin, reduces dryness and protects against the effects of sunlight. Preliminary research suggests that  vitamin E has anti-cancer, as well as photoprotective properties .

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Vitamin E has beneficial applications not only in medicine, but also in the cosmetic industry. It makes the skin more elastic, reduces the ageing process and prevents skin disease and inflammation. It has a soothing effect.
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Magdalena Ciura.

Magdalena Ciura Pharmacy technician

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Collagen also supports skin health. Are you interested in its effects? Take a look at my article about collagen!

Reducing menstrual pain

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Menstrual pain is mainly manifested by cramps in the lower abdomen. One studyand suggests that supplementation  vitamin E, alleviates them. What's more, the effects of supplementation were even better when the youth vitamin was taken alongside omega acids.

Enhancing cognitive function

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High concentrations of vitamin E  in the body are associated with improved cognitive functionand. The youth vitamin has antioxidant properties and therefore prevents cognitive decline. Despite this, there is still a lack of solid research confirming its counteraction against, for example, Alzheimer's disease.

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Vitamin E is essential for the production of male sperm. This has an important impact on male fertility. Furthermore, it has an important function in the synthesis of anticoagulant factors and reduces platelet aggregation.
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Marta Kaczorek.

Marta Kaczorek Clinical nutritionist

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How else does vitamin E work?

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  • Positive effects on  lung functionand.
  • .
  • Prevents  psoriasis    eczema .
  • Promotes  healing of  wounds .
  • Reduces the risk of developing  macular degeneration  (AMD) .
  • .
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Vitamin E regulates blood sugar levels and also supports cardiovascular health.
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Magdalena Ciura.

Magdalena Ciura Pharmacy technician

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In which products is vitamin E found?

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Most people easily get enough vitamin E from their diet. Which products contain the most of it?

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Product

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Vitamin E content per 100 grams

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Wheat germ oiland

149 mg

Hazelnut oiland

47 mg

Sunflower oiland

41 mg

Almond oiland

39 mg

Sunflower seedsand

35 mg

Almondand

26 mg

Hazelnutsand

15 mg

Pine nutsand

9 mg

Peanutsand

6.5 mg

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Abaloneand

4 mg

Today I have taken vitamin E on the agenda. However, it is very often found in dietary supplements with other fat-soluble vitamins. Want to know more about the vitamin AD or K? Click on the letter corresponding to a vitamin and you will be taken to its little world!

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Product with high-quality folic acid Quatrefolic®, bamboo shoot extract and ingredients that have a positive effect on skin, hair and nails.

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Vitamin E deficiency

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Vitamin E deficiency is a rare occurrence. Most people provide it with their food. What factors may contribute to vitamin E deficiencies in the body?

Causes 

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Vitamin E deficiency can be genetic. There are two diseases that affect vitamin E levels in the body: Bassen-Kornzweig syndrome   and familial isolated vitamin E deficiency .

Gluten intolerance, chronic pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis or certain liver diseases can also lead to a deficiency  of vitamin E . Premature babiesand are also at risk. Their still immature digestive tract can  interfere with the absorption of vitamin E .

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Vitamin E deficiency also leads to skin problems. It slows down wound healing and results in keratinisation of the skin.
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Marta Kaczorek.

Marta Kaczorek Clinical nutritionist

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Vitamin E deficiency in the body is affected by alcohol and cigarette abuse. Its absorption can also be reduced by cholesterol-lowering drugs in the blood.
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Magdalena Ciura.

Magdalena Ciura Pharmacy technician

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Symptoms

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The level of vitamin E in the body can be checked using a blood test. With it, the doctor is able to determine whether the patient needs supplementation. In which cases is such a test worth considering? 

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Symptoms of vitamin E deficiency in the body:

  • Muscle weaknessand. Vitamin E affects nervous system function. Its deficiency leads to oxidative stress, which weakens muscles.
  • .
  • Difficulties with concentration.   The consequence of vitamin E deficiency is the breakdown of some neurons. This can result in problems with concentration.
  • .
  • Problems with coordination.   Vitamin E deficiency also manifests itself in difficulties with walking and coordination. Serious nerve damage and even loss of sensation in the limbs can follow.
  • .
  • Deterioration of vision.   Lack of sufficient vitamin E leads to a weakening of the light receptors in the retina. In the long term, a deficiency of the youth vitamin can even result in loss of vision.
  • Weakening of the immune system.and  Studies suggest, that vitamin E deficiency leads to immune system problems.
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Effects of vitamin E deficiency include cardiovascular disease, peripheral neuropathies, epilepsy, and Parkinson's or Alzheimer's disease.
Magdalena Ciura.

Magdalena Ciura Pharmacy technician

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How to supplement

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Vitamin E deficiency can be supplemented through a balanced diet. In some cases, however, this will not be sufficient. Then it is worth reaching for one of the supplements. Before you do this, see your doctor. It is the specialist who should recommend a healthy and safe supplementation. 

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The demand for vitamin E, increases with the intake of unsaturated fatty acids (EFAs) in the diet. Per gram of EFAs consumed, there should be 0.4 mg of alpha-tocopherol equivalent.
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Marta Kaczorek.

Marta Kaczorek Clinical nutritionist

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Vitamin E excess

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Vitamin E excess is not common. It most often affects people who take excessive doses of supplements. What is the manifestation of excessive vitamin E intake?"

Symptoms of vitamin E excess:

  • gastrointestinal distressand,
  • .
  • weakening of the body ,
  • blood thinning ,
  • internal bleeding ,
  • haemorrhagic stroke ,
  • .

How to treat?

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Most commonly, treatment of excess vitamin E includes stopping supplementation and limiting it in the diet. The exceptions are cases where an excess of the vitamin of youth will lead to serious damage in the body. It is then necessary to treat these conditions independently.

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Research has shown that a daily supply of vitamin E in high doses (400 IU) may contribute to an increased risk of prostate cancer.
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Marta Kaczorek.

Marta Kaczorek Clinical nutritionist

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Vitamin E - supplementation

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Supplementation of vitamin E is rarely necessary. Most of us provide it to the body with our diet. However, in some cases this may not be sufficient. How much vitamin E should we take in?

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Daily vitamin E requirement

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Age

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Daily dose

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0-6 months

4 mgand

7-12 months

5 mgand

1-3 years

6 mgand

4-8 years

7 mgand

9-13 years

11 mgand

14+ years

15 mgand

While a standard dose of vitamin E is sufficient during pregnancy, the breastfeeding period is governed by its own rules. This is when the daily requirement for vitamin E is  19 mgand.

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.

Product with high-quality folic acid Quatrefolic®, bamboo shoot extract and ingredients that have a positive effect on skin, hair and nails.

See more

Contraindications

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Some people should not supplement with vitamin E. Who should be particularly vigilant?

Contraindications to vitamin E supplementation:

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    .
  • heart diseasesand,
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  • blood clotting disorders ,
  • diabetes ,
  • audar ,
  • .
  • brain, prostate and neck cancer ,
  • .

Can children supplement vitamin E?

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Most children take adequate amounts of vitamin E with their diet. The need for supplementation is rare. Despite the fact that vitamin E is safe for little ones, it is not worth giving it to children on their own. Healthy vitamin E supplementation for children can only be recommended by a specialist.

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Vitamin E in pregnancy

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Although vitamin E affects the health of pregnancy, its supplementation is most often unnecessary. Most mums-to-be take it with their daily meals. Research suggests that taking  large  doses of vitamin E during the first trimester of pregnancy, is safeand.

Vitamin E and breastfeeding

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Vitamin E  is a component of human milk. Therefore, women who are breastfeeding need to take care of its concentration in the body. The daily requirement for the youth vitamin during this period is 19 mg.

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In most cases, supplementing the diet with products rich in vitamin E is sufficient. Sometimes, however, supplementation is also recommended to make up for the deficiency of vitamin E in the body.

For the most part, vitamin E is not required.

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High doses of vitamin E should not be taken with anticoagulants. An exception to this rule is otherwise recommended by your doctor.
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Magdalena Ciura.

Magdalena Ciura Pharmacy technician

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Note!

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Healthy and safe supplementation during both pregnancy and breastfeeding should only be recommended by a doctor.

Interactions of vitamin E with drugs

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Vitamin E can interact with medicines. Which agents are on the blacklist?

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Vitamin E reacts with:

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  • aspirin,
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  • warfarin,
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  • tamoxifen,
  • .

Note!

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If you are taking these or other medications, please consult a specialist before starting supplements.

See also:

Summary

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From this article remember:

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  • Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin.
  • .
  • Vitamin E has antioxidant properties, promotes skin health, and reduces the risk of heart disease.
  • Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin.
  • Most vitamin E is found in oils, seeds and nuts.
  • .
  • Vitamin E deficiency can be genetic or a consequence of certain diseases.
  • .
  • Muscle weakness, difficulty concentrating or impaired vision are some of the symptoms of vitamin E deficiency.
  • A vitamin E deficiency manifests itself in weakness, gastrointestinal problems or thinning of the blood.
  • The daily requirement of vitamin E for an adult is 15 mg.
  • .
  • Vitamin E may react with some medications.

FAQ

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. What does vitamin E do?.

Vitamin E supports the prevention of heart disease, has an antioxidant effect, benefits fertility, helps mothers-to-be during pregnancy, reduces the risk of cancer - especially prostate and liver cancer. In addition, it has anticoagulant effects, lowers bad cholesterol in the blood and improves muscle performance and supports vision.

. What is the use of vitamin E in cosmetics?.

Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant, which is why it is often referred to as the 'vitamin of youth'. It also has regenerative, nourishing and moisturising properties. In the right concentrations, it is used to delay cellular ageing.

Vitamin E is an important ingredient in cosmetics, including face creams, hand creams, eye creams or wrinkle creams - especially for sensitive and irritation-prone skin

. What are the symptoms of vitamin E deficiency?.

Symptoms of vitamin E deficiency are mainly:

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  • anemia,
  • .
  • concentration problems,
  • .
  • fatigue,
  • fatigue.
  • muscle aches,
  • pain.
  • irritation,
  • .
  • hair loss,
  • .
  • lower immunity,
  • .
  • neurological problems,
  • .
  • deterioration of vision,
  • .

Vitamin E deficiency can be genetic or is caused by certain diseases, such as pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis or certain liver diseases.

. Where is vitamin E found and where is it most abundant?.

The best sources of vitamin E are primarily cold-pressed oils and nuts. You can also find it in pumpkin seeds, cereal grains, cabbage, avocados, fish, poultry, spinach or lettuce. Most vitamin E is found in wheat germ oil, sunflower oil, sunflower seeds, hazelnuts and almonds.

. When to take vitamin E?.

The indications for supplementation of vitamin E - whether in drops or tablets - are mainly for diseases of the digestive system, cystic fibrosis, heart and circulatory diseases. It can also be used to support the treatment and prevention of cataracts and macular degeneration.

. What not to combine vitamin E with?.

Use vitamin E preparations with caution if you are taking anticoagulants (e.g. warfarin), estrogen drugs (e.g. tamoxifen), cyclosporine (an anti-rejection drug after transplantation), aspirin or vitamin K.

. Is excess vitamin E harmful?.

Although vitamin E is difficult to overdose on, the symptoms of excess can be troublesome and dangerous. These include gastrointestinal distress, general weakness, blood thinning and decreased blood clotting, internal bleeding or haemorrhagic stroke, among others.

As for an overdose of vitamin E, it can be dangerous.

To overdose on vitamin E, one would need to take a dose of more than 1,000 mg per day, which is not actually possible without abusing supplements.

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Sources

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. See all.

Asbaghi, O., Choghakhori, R., & Abbasnezhad, A. (2019). Effect of Omega-3 and vitamin E co-supplementation on serum lipids concentrations in overweight patients with metabolic disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Diabetes & Metabolic Syndrome: Clinical Research & Reviews, 13(4), 2525-2531. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dsx.2019.07.001

Bell, E. F., Hansen, N. I., Brion, L. P., Ehrenkranz, R. A., Kennedy, K. A., Walsh, M. C., Shankaran, S., Acarregui, M. J., Johnson, K. J., Hale, E. C., Messina, L. A., Crawford, M. M., Laptook, A. R., Goldberg, R. N., Van Meurs, K. P., Carlo, W. A., Poindexter, B. B., Faix, R. G., Carlton, D. P., ... Higgins, R. D. (2013). Serum Tocopherol Levels in Very Preterm Infants After a Single Dose of Vitamin E at Birth. Pediatrics, 132(6), e1626-e1633. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2013-1684

Boskovic, R., Gargaun, L., Oren, D., Djulus, J., & Koren, G. (2005). Pregnancy outcome following high doses of Vitamin E supplementation. Reproductive Toxicology, 20(1), 85-88. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.reprotox.2005.01.003

Burbank, A. J., Duran, C. G., Pan, Y., Burns, P., Jones, S., Jiang, Q., Yang, C., Jenkins, S., Wells, H., Alexis, N., Kesimer, M., Bennett, W. D., Zhou, H., Peden, D. B., & Hernandez, M. L. (2018). Gamma tocopherol-enriched supplement reduces sputum eosinophilia and endotoxin-induced sputum neutrophilia in volunteers with asthma. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 141(4), 1231-1238.e1. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaci.2017.06.029

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Effects of Vitamin E on Cognitive Performance during Ageing and in Alzheimer's Disease-PMC. (n.d.). Retrieved 17 March 2023, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4276978/

Emami, M. R., Safabakhsh, M., Alizadeh, S., Asbaghi, O., & Khosroshahi, M. Z. (2019). Effect of vitamin E supplementation on blood pressure: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Human Hypertension, 33(7), Article 7. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41371-019-0192-0

Jaffary, F., Faghihi, G., Mokhtarian, A., & Hosseini, S. M. (2015). Effects of oral vitamin E on treatment of atopic dermatitis: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Research in Medical Sciences : The Official Journal of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, 20(11), 1053-1057. https://doi.org/10.4103/1735-1995.172815

Keen, M. A., & Hassan, I. (2016). Vitamin E in dermatology. Indian Dermatology Online Journal, 7(4), 311. https://doi.org/10.4103/2229-5178.185494

Kim, G. H., Chung, J. W., Lee, J. H., Ok, K. S., Jang, E. S., Kim, J., Shin, C. M., Park, Y. S., Hwang, J.-H., Jeong, S.-H., Kim, N., Lee, D. H., & Kim, J.-W. (2015). Effect of vitamin E in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease with metabolic syndrome: A propensity score-matched cohort study. Clinical and Molecular Hepatology, 21(4), 379-386. https://doi.org/10.3350/cmh.2015.21.4.379

Office of Dietary Supplements-Vitamin E. (n.d.). Retrieved 17 March 2023, from https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminE-HealthProfessional/

Pizzino, G., Irrera, N., Cucinotta, M., Pallio, G., Mannino, F., Arcoraci, V., Squadrito, F., Altavilla, D., & Bitto, A. (2017). Oxidative Stress: Harms and Benefits for Human Health. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, 2017, 8416763. https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/8416763

Sadeghi, N., Paknezhad, F., Rashidi Nooshabadi, M., Kavianpour, M., Jafari Rad, S., & Khadem Haghighian, H. (2018). Vitamin E and fish oil, separately or in combination, on treatment of primary dysmenorrhea: A double-blind, randomized clinical trial. Gynecological Endocrinology, 34(9), 804-808. https://doi.org/10.1080/09513590.2018.1450377

Schuelke, M. (1993). Ataxia with Vitamin E Deficiency. IN M. P. Adam, G. M. Mirzaa, R. A. Pagon, S. E. Wallace, L. J. Bean, K. W. Gripp, & A. Amemiya (Ed.), GeneReviews®. University of Washington, Seattle. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1241/

Ulatowski, L., Parker, R., Warrier, G., Sultana, R., Butterfield, D. A., & Manor, D. (2014). Vitamin E is essential for Purkinje neuron integrity. Neuroscience, 260, 120-129. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroscience.2013.12.001

Vitamin E. (2021). In Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®) [Internet]. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK500951/

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Meet the team
Ludwik Jelonek - Author

Natu.Care Editor

Ludwik Jelonek is the author of more than 2,500 texts published on leading portals. His content has found its way into services such as Ostrovit and Kobieta Onet. At Natu.Care, Ludwik educates people in the most important area of life - health.

Marta Kaczorek - Reviewed by

Clinical nutritionist

Verified by an expert

Clinical nutritionist and personal trainer in the process of qualifying as a health coach.

Michael Tomaszewski - Edited by

Editor

Michael Tomaszewski

Graduate of Journalism and Artes Liberales at the University of Warsaw. Since 2017, he has been working with the biggest portals in Poland and abroad as an editor. Previously worked for 3 years in one of the leading pharmaceutical companies - he knows the health and beauty industry inside out. In his free time, he most enjoys playing tennis or skiing.

Emilia Moskal - Fact-checking

Natu.Care Editor

Emilia Moskal specialises in medical and psychological texts, including content for medical entities. She is a fan of simple language and reader-friendly communication. At Natu.Care, she writes educational articles.

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