Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsUsesDeficiencySide EffectsPrecautionsDosageTaking Too MuchInteractionsStorageSimilar SupplementsFrequently Asked QuestionsSources & What to Look For
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Uses
Deficiency
Side Effects
Precautions
Dosage
Taking Too Much
Interactions
Storage
Similar Supplements
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources & What to Look For
Alpha-tocopheryl acetate (ATA), often simply known astocopheryl acetate, is marketed to prevent or reduce several health conditions, such as macular degeneration and heart disease, due to its antioxidant properties. It is a synthetic form of vitamin E found in dietary supplements and skin care products.
Tocopheryl acetate is considered the most stable and active form of vitamin E and the best option overall for treatingvitamin E deficiency.Yet, research on tocopheryl acetate and vitamin E supplementation, in general, has not proven many of its proposed health claims and should be discussed with a healthcare provider before starting a regimen.
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate supplements the way it regulates prescription drugs. That means some supplement products may not contain what the label says. Whenchoosing a supplement, look for independently tested products and consult a healthcare provider, registered dietitian nutritionist (RD or RDN), or pharmacist.
Verywell / Anastasia Tretiak
Uses of Tocopheryl Acetate
Tocopheryl acetate has many proposed uses, primarily because of its antioxidant properties, which are thought to protect cells from free radicals.
Marketed but unproven uses of tocopheryl acetate include:
However, there is not enough evidence to support most of these claims. Many studies have found tocopheryl acetate to be ineffective for these uses. There is some evidence that vitamin E may even cause harm.
Tocopheryl Acetate Deficiency
Tocopheryl acetate is a form of vitamin E supplement. Although rare, vitamin Edeficiencyoccurs in people with fat malabsorption disorders (inability of the small intestine to absorb fats).
Those at risk of developing a vitamin E deficiency include people with Crohn’s disease orcystic fibrosis. Occasionally, people undergoingbariatric surgerymay have a malabsorptive procedure done that ultimately puts them at greater risk for vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
Signs of vitamin E deficiency include:
Deficiency can be confirmed with a blood test. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are at risk for a vitamin deficiency and suspect you may be deficient.
Vitamin E for Scars: Worth Trying or Skipping?
Treating Vitamin E Deficiency
Tocopheryl acetate may be used to treat vitamin E deficiency. However, in cases of fat malabsorption, a water-soluble form of vitamin E may be needed instead.
People with a rare inherited disorder called abetalipoproteinemia have poor absorption of vitamin E. They require large doses of vitamin E. Sometimes, as much as 100 milligrams/kilogram of body weight is needed. This should be managed under medical supervision.
What Are the Side Effects of Tocopheryl Acetate?
Tocopheryl acetate is relatively safe when taken in recommended amounts. If you take the maximum daily intake or less, tocopheryl acetate is unlikely to cause side effects. Higher doses in the long term increase the chances of adverse health effects.
Taking too much supplemental tocopheryl acetate could result in:
Skin care products with tocopheryl acetate may cause a local skin reaction. Symptoms of an allergic reaction of the skin include reddening or a rash in the area where the cream or ointment was applied.
If any of the following apply to you, talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist about whether tocopheryl acetate is safe to take:
Dosage: How Much Tocopheryl Acetate Should I Take?
Always speak with a healthcare provider before taking a supplement to ensure that the supplement and dosage are appropriate for your individual needs.
The amount of vitamin E required daily depends on a person’s age and other factors. The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for vitamin E is:
It should be noted that the vitamin E RDA recommendations are for alpha-tocopherol alone, as it is the only form of vitamin E maintained and measurable in the blood. Additionally, the RDA for vitamin E is provided in milligrams (mg). However, vitamin E may still be listed as international units (IU) instead of milligrams.
Supplementing vitamin E above the RDA level will depend on your vitamin E status and clinical condition.
The Food and Nutrition Board has established Tolerable Upper Limits (TUL) for vitamin E intake as follows:
Long-term intakes exceeding the TUL will increase the risk of negative health effects.
What Happens If I Take Too Much Tocopheryl Acetate?
Taking too much tocopheryl acetate may increase your risk of side effects. Long-term high dosages can lead to toxicity.
Symptoms of vitamin E toxicity from long-term use of more than 400 IU (268 milligrams) to 800 IU (536 milligrams) per day may include:
Some studies have found an increased risk ofhemorrhagic strokein people taking alpha-tocopherol supplements.Another study found an increased risk of prostate cancer with vitamin E supplementation compared to a placebo (intentionally ineffective pill).
Medications that may interact with tocopheryl acetate include:
It is essential to carefully read the ingredients list and nutrition facts panel of a supplement to know which ingredients and how much of each ingredient is included. Please review the supplement label with your healthcare provider to discuss potential interactions with foods, other supplements, and medications.
How to Store Tocopheryl Acetate
Store tocopheryl acetate away from light, heat, and moisture. Be sure to store medications and supplements out of reach of children and pets.
Alpha-tocopherol is another form of vitamin E supplement.
Frequently Asked QuestionsFood sources high in vitamin E include plant oils, such as wheat germ, sunflower seeds, safflower oil, and to a lesser extent, corn and soybean oils. Other foods high in vitamin E include:Broccoli and green leafy vegetables such as spinach (provides some vitamin E)NutsKiwifruitTomatoMangoThere is insufficient evidence to suggest that vitamin E would benefit people with diabetes. Vitamin E supplementation showed no clinical effect on glucose control in people withtype 2 diabetes.A later meta-analysis found no beneficial effect of vitamin E supplementation on glucose control,hemoglobin A1C, or insulin levels in people with type 2 diabetes.There is not enough evidence to suggest that more vitamin E in supplement form is helpful for treating mental disorders. Research on vitamin E for the treatment of anxiety and depression has been mixed, and researchers are unable to draw conclusions.
Food sources high in vitamin E include plant oils, such as wheat germ, sunflower seeds, safflower oil, and to a lesser extent, corn and soybean oils. Other foods high in vitamin E include:Broccoli and green leafy vegetables such as spinach (provides some vitamin E)NutsKiwifruitTomatoMango
Food sources high in vitamin E include plant oils, such as wheat germ, sunflower seeds, safflower oil, and to a lesser extent, corn and soybean oils. Other foods high in vitamin E include:
There is insufficient evidence to suggest that vitamin E would benefit people with diabetes. Vitamin E supplementation showed no clinical effect on glucose control in people withtype 2 diabetes.A later meta-analysis found no beneficial effect of vitamin E supplementation on glucose control,hemoglobin A1C, or insulin levels in people with type 2 diabetes.
There is insufficient evidence to suggest that vitamin E would benefit people with diabetes. Vitamin E supplementation showed no clinical effect on glucose control in people withtype 2 diabetes.
A later meta-analysis found no beneficial effect of vitamin E supplementation on glucose control,hemoglobin A1C, or insulin levels in people with type 2 diabetes.
There is not enough evidence to suggest that more vitamin E in supplement form is helpful for treating mental disorders. Research on vitamin E for the treatment of anxiety and depression has been mixed, and researchers are unable to draw conclusions.
Source of Tocopheryl Acetate & What to Look For
Since tocopheryl acetate is a synthetic form of vitamin E, it isn’t found in food. However, vitamin E is available in wheat germ, nuts, seeds, peanut butter, and spinach or broccoli.
Tocopheryl acetate is available as an oral supplement or a topical solution. It can be found in various commercial preparations, including:
Most of the commercial preparations of vitamin E are available in dosages, sold as international units (IU), but you may also see listings for milligrams (mg).
Vitamin E supplements are available as a single nutrient supplement or can be found in antioxidant formulations and multivitamins.
Alpha-tocopheryl acetate is absorbed as efficiently as alpha-tocopherol.
Summary
Tocopheryl acetate is a type of vitamin E supplement available. Vitamin E is an essential nutrient. Most people get the required amount of vitamin E from their diet. A vitamin E deficiency is possible but rare.
Vitamin E has been studied for preventative measures against certain diseases. Research shows that vitamin E mostly appears to have no benefit and, in some cases, may cause more harm. When weighing the benefit-to-risk ratio, there appears to be little benefit to moderate risk.
Always discuss supplements with your healthcare provider before taking them.
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institutes of Health. Health Information.Vitamin E.Keen MA, Hassan I.Vitamin E in dermatology.Indian Dermatol OnlineJ. 2016;7(4):311-315. doi:10.4103/2229-5178.185494Rumbold A, Ota E, Hori H, Miyazaki C, Crowther CA.Vitamin E supplementation in pregnancy.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;2015(9):CD004069. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD004069.pub3Page RL 2nd, O’Bryant CL, Cheng D, et al.Drugs that may cause or exacerbate heart failure: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association[published correction appears in Circulation. 2016 Sep 20;134(12):e261].Circulation. 2016;134(6):e32-e69. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000000426Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.Vitamin E.Klein EA, Thompson IM Jr, Tangen CM, et al.Vitamin E and the risk of prostate cancer: the Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT).JAMA. 2011;306(14):1549-1556. doi:10.1001/jama.2011.1437Peralta EA, Brewer AT, Louis S, Dunnington GL.Vitamin E increases biomarkers of estrogen stimulation when taken with tamoxifen.J Surg Res. 2009;153(1):143-147. doi:10.1016/j.jss.2008.03.030Suksomboon N, Poolsup N, Sinprasert S.Effects of vitamin E supplementation on glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes: systematic review of randomized controlled trials.J Clin Pharm Ther. 2011;36(1):53-63. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2710.2009.01154.xXu R, Zhang S, Tao A, Chen G, Zhang M.Influence of vitamin E supplementation on glycaemic control: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.PLoS One. 2014;9(4):e95008. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0095008Lee ARYB, Tariq A, Lau G, Tok NWK, Tam WWS, Ho CSH.Vitamin E, alpha-tocopherol, and its effects on depression and anxiety: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Nutrients. 2022;14(3):656. doi:10.3390/nu14030656Additional ReadingChung S. Yang, Nanjoo Suh and Ah-Ng Tony Kong.Does Vitamin E Prevent or Promote Cancer?American Association for Cancer Research (AACR). 2012 May;CAPR-12-0045. doi:10.1158/1940-6207.CAPR-12-0045Gonullu U, Sensoy D, Uner M, Yener G, Altinkurt T.Comparing the moisturizing effects of ascorbic acid and calcium ascorbate against that of tocopherol in emulsions.J Cosmet Sci. 2006;57(6):465-473.Gorusupudi A, Nelson K, Bernstein PS.The Age-Related Eye Disease 2 Study: Micronutrients in the Treatment of Macular Degeneration.Adv Nutr. 2017;8(1):40-53. doi:10.3945/an.116.013177Javanbakht MH, Keshavarz SA, Djalali M, et al.Randomized controlled trial using vitamins E and D supplementation in atopic dermatitis.J Dermatolog Treat. 2011;22(3):144-150. doi:10.3109/09546630903578566.Klein EA, Thompson IM, Tangen CM, et al.Vitamin E and the risk of prostate cancer: the Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT).JAMA. 2011;306(14):1549-56. doi:10.1001/jama.2011.1437Nagata C, Nakamura K, Wada K, et al.Association of dietary fat, vegetables and antioxidant micronutrients with skin ageing in Japanese women.Br J Nutr. 2010;103(10):1493-1498. doi:10.1017/S0007114509993461
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institutes of Health. Health Information.Vitamin E.Keen MA, Hassan I.Vitamin E in dermatology.Indian Dermatol OnlineJ. 2016;7(4):311-315. doi:10.4103/2229-5178.185494Rumbold A, Ota E, Hori H, Miyazaki C, Crowther CA.Vitamin E supplementation in pregnancy.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;2015(9):CD004069. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD004069.pub3Page RL 2nd, O’Bryant CL, Cheng D, et al.Drugs that may cause or exacerbate heart failure: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association[published correction appears in Circulation. 2016 Sep 20;134(12):e261].Circulation. 2016;134(6):e32-e69. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000000426Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.Vitamin E.Klein EA, Thompson IM Jr, Tangen CM, et al.Vitamin E and the risk of prostate cancer: the Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT).JAMA. 2011;306(14):1549-1556. doi:10.1001/jama.2011.1437Peralta EA, Brewer AT, Louis S, Dunnington GL.Vitamin E increases biomarkers of estrogen stimulation when taken with tamoxifen.J Surg Res. 2009;153(1):143-147. doi:10.1016/j.jss.2008.03.030Suksomboon N, Poolsup N, Sinprasert S.Effects of vitamin E supplementation on glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes: systematic review of randomized controlled trials.J Clin Pharm Ther. 2011;36(1):53-63. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2710.2009.01154.xXu R, Zhang S, Tao A, Chen G, Zhang M.Influence of vitamin E supplementation on glycaemic control: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.PLoS One. 2014;9(4):e95008. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0095008Lee ARYB, Tariq A, Lau G, Tok NWK, Tam WWS, Ho CSH.Vitamin E, alpha-tocopherol, and its effects on depression and anxiety: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Nutrients. 2022;14(3):656. doi:10.3390/nu14030656Additional ReadingChung S. Yang, Nanjoo Suh and Ah-Ng Tony Kong.Does Vitamin E Prevent or Promote Cancer?American Association for Cancer Research (AACR). 2012 May;CAPR-12-0045. doi:10.1158/1940-6207.CAPR-12-0045Gonullu U, Sensoy D, Uner M, Yener G, Altinkurt T.Comparing the moisturizing effects of ascorbic acid and calcium ascorbate against that of tocopherol in emulsions.J Cosmet Sci. 2006;57(6):465-473.Gorusupudi A, Nelson K, Bernstein PS.The Age-Related Eye Disease 2 Study: Micronutrients in the Treatment of Macular Degeneration.Adv Nutr. 2017;8(1):40-53. doi:10.3945/an.116.013177Javanbakht MH, Keshavarz SA, Djalali M, et al.Randomized controlled trial using vitamins E and D supplementation in atopic dermatitis.J Dermatolog Treat. 2011;22(3):144-150. doi:10.3109/09546630903578566.Klein EA, Thompson IM, Tangen CM, et al.Vitamin E and the risk of prostate cancer: the Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT).JAMA. 2011;306(14):1549-56. doi:10.1001/jama.2011.1437Nagata C, Nakamura K, Wada K, et al.Association of dietary fat, vegetables and antioxidant micronutrients with skin ageing in Japanese women.Br J Nutr. 2010;103(10):1493-1498. doi:10.1017/S0007114509993461
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Institutes of Health. Health Information.Vitamin E.Keen MA, Hassan I.Vitamin E in dermatology.Indian Dermatol OnlineJ. 2016;7(4):311-315. doi:10.4103/2229-5178.185494Rumbold A, Ota E, Hori H, Miyazaki C, Crowther CA.Vitamin E supplementation in pregnancy.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;2015(9):CD004069. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD004069.pub3Page RL 2nd, O’Bryant CL, Cheng D, et al.Drugs that may cause or exacerbate heart failure: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association[published correction appears in Circulation. 2016 Sep 20;134(12):e261].Circulation. 2016;134(6):e32-e69. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000000426Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.Vitamin E.Klein EA, Thompson IM Jr, Tangen CM, et al.Vitamin E and the risk of prostate cancer: the Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT).JAMA. 2011;306(14):1549-1556. doi:10.1001/jama.2011.1437Peralta EA, Brewer AT, Louis S, Dunnington GL.Vitamin E increases biomarkers of estrogen stimulation when taken with tamoxifen.J Surg Res. 2009;153(1):143-147. doi:10.1016/j.jss.2008.03.030Suksomboon N, Poolsup N, Sinprasert S.Effects of vitamin E supplementation on glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes: systematic review of randomized controlled trials.J Clin Pharm Ther. 2011;36(1):53-63. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2710.2009.01154.xXu R, Zhang S, Tao A, Chen G, Zhang M.Influence of vitamin E supplementation on glycaemic control: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.PLoS One. 2014;9(4):e95008. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0095008Lee ARYB, Tariq A, Lau G, Tok NWK, Tam WWS, Ho CSH.Vitamin E, alpha-tocopherol, and its effects on depression and anxiety: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Nutrients. 2022;14(3):656. doi:10.3390/nu14030656
National Institutes of Health. Health Information.Vitamin E.
Keen MA, Hassan I.Vitamin E in dermatology.Indian Dermatol OnlineJ. 2016;7(4):311-315. doi:10.4103/2229-5178.185494
Rumbold A, Ota E, Hori H, Miyazaki C, Crowther CA.Vitamin E supplementation in pregnancy.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;2015(9):CD004069. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD004069.pub3
Page RL 2nd, O’Bryant CL, Cheng D, et al.Drugs that may cause or exacerbate heart failure: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association[published correction appears in Circulation. 2016 Sep 20;134(12):e261].Circulation. 2016;134(6):e32-e69. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000000426
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.Vitamin E.
Klein EA, Thompson IM Jr, Tangen CM, et al.Vitamin E and the risk of prostate cancer: the Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT).JAMA. 2011;306(14):1549-1556. doi:10.1001/jama.2011.1437
Peralta EA, Brewer AT, Louis S, Dunnington GL.Vitamin E increases biomarkers of estrogen stimulation when taken with tamoxifen.J Surg Res. 2009;153(1):143-147. doi:10.1016/j.jss.2008.03.030
Suksomboon N, Poolsup N, Sinprasert S.Effects of vitamin E supplementation on glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes: systematic review of randomized controlled trials.J Clin Pharm Ther. 2011;36(1):53-63. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2710.2009.01154.x
Xu R, Zhang S, Tao A, Chen G, Zhang M.Influence of vitamin E supplementation on glycaemic control: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.PLoS One. 2014;9(4):e95008. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0095008
Lee ARYB, Tariq A, Lau G, Tok NWK, Tam WWS, Ho CSH.Vitamin E, alpha-tocopherol, and its effects on depression and anxiety: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Nutrients. 2022;14(3):656. doi:10.3390/nu14030656
Chung S. Yang, Nanjoo Suh and Ah-Ng Tony Kong.Does Vitamin E Prevent or Promote Cancer?American Association for Cancer Research (AACR). 2012 May;CAPR-12-0045. doi:10.1158/1940-6207.CAPR-12-0045Gonullu U, Sensoy D, Uner M, Yener G, Altinkurt T.Comparing the moisturizing effects of ascorbic acid and calcium ascorbate against that of tocopherol in emulsions.J Cosmet Sci. 2006;57(6):465-473.Gorusupudi A, Nelson K, Bernstein PS.The Age-Related Eye Disease 2 Study: Micronutrients in the Treatment of Macular Degeneration.Adv Nutr. 2017;8(1):40-53. doi:10.3945/an.116.013177Javanbakht MH, Keshavarz SA, Djalali M, et al.Randomized controlled trial using vitamins E and D supplementation in atopic dermatitis.J Dermatolog Treat. 2011;22(3):144-150. doi:10.3109/09546630903578566.Klein EA, Thompson IM, Tangen CM, et al.Vitamin E and the risk of prostate cancer: the Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT).JAMA. 2011;306(14):1549-56. doi:10.1001/jama.2011.1437Nagata C, Nakamura K, Wada K, et al.Association of dietary fat, vegetables and antioxidant micronutrients with skin ageing in Japanese women.Br J Nutr. 2010;103(10):1493-1498. doi:10.1017/S0007114509993461
Chung S. Yang, Nanjoo Suh and Ah-Ng Tony Kong.Does Vitamin E Prevent or Promote Cancer?American Association for Cancer Research (AACR). 2012 May;CAPR-12-0045. doi:10.1158/1940-6207.CAPR-12-0045
Gonullu U, Sensoy D, Uner M, Yener G, Altinkurt T.Comparing the moisturizing effects of ascorbic acid and calcium ascorbate against that of tocopherol in emulsions.J Cosmet Sci. 2006;57(6):465-473.
Gorusupudi A, Nelson K, Bernstein PS.The Age-Related Eye Disease 2 Study: Micronutrients in the Treatment of Macular Degeneration.Adv Nutr. 2017;8(1):40-53. doi:10.3945/an.116.013177
Javanbakht MH, Keshavarz SA, Djalali M, et al.Randomized controlled trial using vitamins E and D supplementation in atopic dermatitis.J Dermatolog Treat. 2011;22(3):144-150. doi:10.3109/09546630903578566.
Klein EA, Thompson IM, Tangen CM, et al.Vitamin E and the risk of prostate cancer: the Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT).JAMA. 2011;306(14):1549-56. doi:10.1001/jama.2011.1437
Nagata C, Nakamura K, Wada K, et al.Association of dietary fat, vegetables and antioxidant micronutrients with skin ageing in Japanese women.Br J Nutr. 2010;103(10):1493-1498. doi:10.1017/S0007114509993461
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