Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin that is often overlooked, yet it plays a crucial role in maintaining overall health and wellness. Known for its antioxidant properties, vitamin E helps to protect the body against free radical damage, which can lead to chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease. It's also a key nutrient for maintaining healthy skin, hair, and eyes. Despite its many benefits, many people still lack adequate levels of vitamin E in their diet.
In this blog post, we will explore the various health benefits of vitamin E and how to ensure that you are getting enough of this essential nutrient. From its ability to protect the heart, to its anti-aging properties, vitamin E is truly a nutrient that should not be ignored.
Boosts Immune System
Vitamin E is an essential nutrient that plays a vital role in maintaining overall health and wellness, and one of its key benefits is its ability to boost the immune system. Vitamin E helps to activate immune cells, such as T-cells and natural killer cells, which play a crucial role in fighting off infections. Studies have shown that individuals with low levels of vitamin E are at an increased risk of contracting respiratory infections, such as the flu and pneumonia. Additionally, vitamin E has been found to have anti-inflammatory effects, which can help to reduce the severity of certain autoimmune diseases. Overall, vitamin E is an important nutrient for maintaining a healthy immune system and protecting the body against infections and illnesses.
According to a study, "Vitamin E has been shown to reduce inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), which are associated with chronic disease risk. Vitamin E has been shown to enhance immune responses in animal and human models and to confer protection against several infectious diseases."(1)
May Help Fight Cancer
Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that may have a role in fighting cancer. Studies have shown that vitamin E has the ability to inhibit the growth of cancer cells and promote apoptosis, which is the process by which cells self-destruct. Additionally, vitamin E may also have a role in preventing cancer by protecting the DNA within cells from damage.
The research, published in the journal "Cancer Prevention Research," found that vitamin E supplementation can help prevent cancer cells from growing and spreading.
Some of the most common forms of cancer are lung, breast and colon cancers. Vitamin E supplements have been linked to lower rates of these cancers, but it's unclear whether there's a cause-and-effect relationship or if the supplements are just helping people live healthier lifestyles in general.
In the new study, researchers examined nearly 2,000 men and women who took part in an ongoing study on diet and health. Each participant was asked to fill out surveys about their lifestyle habits, including how much they exercised and ate fruits and vegetables. The researchers compared this information with how long it took for participants to develop lung or colon cancer before enrolling in the study in 2008.
The researchers found that vitamin E intake was associated with a 41% reduction (95% confidence interval: 19%- 55%) in developing lung or colon cancer over 11 years of follow-up.
According to the study "Vitamin E, as ingested in the diet or in supplements that are rich in γ- and δ-tocopherols, is cancer preventive; whereas supplementation with high doses of α-tocopherol is not."(2)
Fights Free Radicals (Anti-Aging Benefits)
Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that fights free radicals and reduces the risk for aging. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can damage cells and DNA, which can lead to cancer. Vitamin E helps to eliminate these unwanted compounds by neutralizing them or by converting them into less harmful compounds.
Vitamin E is also known to help fight inflammation in the body, which plays a major role in many chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and arthritis. When inflammation occurs, it causes pain and discomfort as well as damage to tissue. It also weakens your immune system, which makes you more susceptible to infection.
As we get older, our cells become more fragile and prone to damage from oxidation (the process where free radicals are produced). This makes it harder for our bodies to repair themselves when damaged cells are present or when they’re not able to do so because there isn’t enough healthy cell production happening. Vitamin E helps prevent this from occurring by protecting your cells from damage caused by oxidation.
Studies have also shown that individuals with higher levels of vitamin E in their diet or blood have a lower risk of certain age-related diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
Helps to Maintain Healthy Skin and Eyes
Vitamin E is essential for maintaining healthy skin and eyes. As a powerful antioxidant, vitamin E helps to protect the skin from damage caused by UV radiation and environmental pollutants. It also promotes cell growth and helps to prevent premature aging by reducing the formation of fine lines and wrinkles.
Vitamin E also helps to maintain the skin's natural barrier, which can improve skin hydration and prevent dryness and itching. Additionally, vitamin E has been shown to have beneficial effects on eye health by protecting the eyes from oxidative stress and reducing the risk of age-related macular degeneration.
To ensure adequate intake of vitamin E for skin and eye health, it is important to include foods high in vitamin E in your diet, such as almonds, sweet potatoes, sunflower seeds, and green leafy vegetables, or consider taking a supplement if advised by a healthcare professional.
Promotes Healthy Hair and Nails
Vitamin E is important for promoting healthy hair and nails. It helps to improve blood circulation, which can stimulate hair growth and prevent hair loss. Vitamin E is also essential for maintaining healthy hair and scalp by moisturizing and repairing damaged hair. In addition, vitamin E can improve the health and appearance of nails by promoting strong and flexible nails that are less likely to break or become brittle.
According to a study, "The trial demonstrated that supplementation with tocotrienol* capsules increases hair numbers in volunteers suffering from hair loss as compared to the placebo group. A possible explanation for the effects could be due to the potent antioxidant activity of tocotrienols that help to reduce lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress in the scalp, which are known to be associated with alopecia."(3)
(*Primary form of Vitamin E)
Supports a Healthy Heart
Heart health is an important subject for many people, especially those who suffer from heart disease or are at risk of developing it. Vitamin E can help protect against this condition.
Vitamin E is an essential nutrient that has been found to have beneficial effects on heart health. As a powerful antioxidant, vitamin E helps to protect the heart and blood vessels against damage from free radicals. Additionally, vitamin E has been found to have anti-inflammatory effects, which can help to reduce the risk of heart disease. Studies have also shown that individuals with higher levels of vitamin E in their blood have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. Additionally, some studies have shown that vitamin E supplementation may help to improve the health of blood vessels and reduce the risk of blood clots, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes.
According to a study, "Vitamin E has been shown to be cardioprotective in certain patient subgroups under high levels of oxidative stress such as those individuals on hemodialysis (SPACE) or in diabetic individuals with the Hp 2-2 genotype (ICARE)."(4)
Vitamin E may also play a role in lowering cholesterol levels — if you're at risk of high cholesterol, talk to your doctor about taking vitamin E supplements.
Different Sources of Vitamin E
Vitamin E is an essential nutrient that is important for overall health and wellness. While it is commonly available in supplement form, it is also found in a variety of foods. Here are some of the best food sources of vitamin E:
Nuts and seeds: Nuts and seeds are a great source of vitamin E. Some of the best options include almonds, sunflower seeds, and hazelnuts. A single serving of almonds, for example, provides nearly half of the recommended daily intake of vitamin E.
Vegetable oils: Vegetable oils, such as olive oil, corn oil, and soybean oil, are also good sources of vitamin E. These oils can be used in cooking or as a dressing for salads and other dishes.
Leafy greens: Leafy greens, such as spinach, kale, and collard greens, are also good sources of vitamin E. These foods are also rich in other essential nutrients, such as iron and calcium.
Fortified foods: Some foods, such as breakfast cereals, are fortified with vitamin E. Check the label to see if the product you're consuming contains added vitamin E.
Whole grains: Whole grains, such as whole wheat, brown rice, and oatmeal, are also good sources of vitamin E. They are also rich in fiber, which can help to promote heart health and digestion.
Avocados: Avocados are a good source of healthy monounsaturated fats and vitamin E. They can be eaten as a snack or added to salads, sandwiches, and other dishes.
In addition to food sources, vitamin E is also available in supplement form. However, it is always best to consult with a healthcare professional before taking any new supplements, especially if you have any underlying health conditions or are taking any medications. Overall, incorporating a variety of foods that are rich in vitamin E into your diet can help to ensure that you are getting adequate amounts of this essential nutrient.
Vitamin E is very important for your health.
Vitamin E has a wide range of health benefits, from protecting the body against certain diseases to improving the skin. This, paired with its affordability, gives it a place at the table of many health-conscious people. So whether you are trying to fight certain diseases or simply want to improve your skin's appearance and prevent wrinkles and other visible signs of aging, vitamin E may be worth a look.
(1) Asbaghi, O., Sadeghian, M., Nazarian, B., Sarreshtedari, M., Mozaffari-Khosravi, H., Maleki, V., Alizadeh, M., Shokri, A., & Sadeghi, O. (2020). The effect of vitamin E supplementation on selected inflammatory biomarkers in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Scientific Reports, 10. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-73741-6
(2)Chung S. Yang, Nanjoo Suh, Ah-Ng Tony Kong; Does Vitamin E Prevent or Promote Cancer?. Cancer Prev Res (Phila) 1 May 2012; 5 (5): 701–705. https://doi.org/10.1158/1940-6207.CAPR-12-0045
WITH THE POWER OF VITAMIN E ALONG WITH OTHER 37 ESSENTIAL NUTRIENTS
Always consult your Doctor/Dietician before taking any supplementsDisclaimer: The information included at this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation.
