Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin that is best known for its antioxidant activity. There has been much interest in supplementing with it to treat and prevent a wide variety of conditions. In recent years, however, there has been some concern that high doses of the supplement may actually cause more harm than good.
Many of the effects of vitamin E can be attributed to its antioxidant effects. As an antioxidant, it helps prevent the formation of free radicals, damaging molecules or atoms that can start a chain reaction of cellular damage. Free radicals play a role in various age-related conditions, such as cancer and
heart disease.
There are eight different types of vitamin E, some of which are more active than others. The most active form is known as alpha-tocopherol, and there are two different forms of alpha-tocopherol. The natural form (which occurs in foods) is known as d-alpha-tocopherol or RRR-alpha-tocopherol. The synthetic (manufactured) form is known as dl-alpha-tocopherol or all-rac-alpha-tocopherol. Supplements may contain either or both types of alpha-tocopherol. The natural form is said to be about twice as active as the synthetic form.
Some people think that natural vitamin E is better for various uses compared to synthetic, but research has not supported such claims.
Because vitamin E has been studied quite a bit, good information about dosing is available. For some of the less-studied uses, the safest and most effective doses have not yet been established. While high-dose vitamin E supplementation was in vogue awhile back, recent concern about the safety of such supplementation has led healthcare providers to recommend a more modest approach.
Side Effects of Vitamin E
Most people do not experience side effects (at normal doses). However, some people may experience side effects, such as:
(Click Vitamin E Side Effects to learn more, including potentially serious side effects that you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
Normal doses of are probably safe for most people, although high doses can cause problems. Some people may be more likely to experience problems due to vitamin E. Therefore, you should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking the supplements if you have:
- A bleeding disorder
- Head or neck cancer
- Any allergies, including allergies to foods, dyes, or preservatives.
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about all other medicines you are taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
(Click Vitamin E Safety for more information, including any available warnings and precautions.)
What If I Take a Vitamin E Overdose?
High doses of vitamin E have been reported to cause problems in some people. While many of these problems are merely bothersome, some serious effects (such as internal bleeding) could occur.
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