Vitamin E is actually a family of eight different fat-soluble molecules with antioxidant properties.† Only one of these forms, alphatocopherol, satisfies human requirements for vitamin E.¹ The main function of Vitamin E is to act as the body’s primary fat-soluble antioxidant. As such, it can provide antioxidant support in hydrophobic areas such as cell membranes where water-soluble antioxidants cannot reach.

Antioxidants help fight free radicals and play a role in maintaining good health.† Free radicals are unstable compounds that can damage cell membranes. They occur naturally in our bodies but can be exacerbated by pollution, smoking, and sun exposure. When cells are nourished with adequate amounts of vitamin E, it helps to stabilize cell membranes. Since cells are ubiquitous throughout the body, vitamin E is very important to maintaining general good health.

ver 90% of Americans do not get enough vitamin E from food alone.² The recommended dietary allowance or RDA is 15 mg/day of alpha-tocopherol. Of the many popular eating patterns available, low fat diets are most likely to fall below this recommendation.³ Vegetable oils are the primary source of vitamin E in most diets. Additional dietary sources include nuts and seeds such as sunflower seeds, almonds, and hazelnuts as well as fruits and vegetables such as avocado, spinach, asparagus, Swiss chard, and broccoli.

It can be difficult to meet the daily requirements for vitamin E without increasing fat intake above the recommended limits unless particular care is taken to change the diet to focus on nuts, seeds, and a variety of fruits and vegetables.⁴ Vitamin E supplements are an easy way to fill in those nutritional gaps that may occur from relying on food intake alone. Since vitamin E is fat-soluble, taking supplements with a fat containing meal can help to improve absorption.

Benefits

The most notable benefit of vitamin E is its beneficial antioxidant properties. Vitamin E also plays a very important role in stabilizing cell membranes.† This makes it an essential nutrient for many cells such as heart muscle cells and helps them to function optimally. Vitamin E can be found in nerve cells and also the outermost layer of the skin.† It is also an integral part of the cell membranes of immune cells and contributes to healthy immune function.

Suggested Use

Take one softgel daily, preferably with a meal.