Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsBenefitsAmountFood SourcesDeficiency SymptomsSupplementsVitamin E and Health
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Benefits
Amount
Food Sources
Deficiency Symptoms
Supplements
Vitamin E and Health
Vitamin E is an antioxidant that supports the immune system and may help the body fight off chronic diseases such as cancer, though more research is needed to confirm these benefits. It comes in eight chemical forms; alpha-tocopherol is the most active form of vitamin E in the human body.
Nuts, seeds, andvegetable oilsare the best food sources of vitamin E, but the most common way people get vitamin E is from soybean, canola, corn, and other vegetable oils.Additional food sources include wheat germ, peanuts, or peanut butter. Supplements may be an option for people experiencing symptoms of vitamin E deficiency.
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.
CaseyHillPhoto / Getty Images
Benefits: Why Do We Need Vitamin E?
Vitamin E is one of four fat-soluble vitamins, and it is essential for your health. As an antioxidant, it protects and maintains cell membrane integrity. It fights against unstable molecules in cell division known as free radicals and againstoxidative stress(an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in the body). The function of vitamin E may play an important role in fighting against cancer and other chronic diseases.
Other functions of vitamin E include:
Vitamin E can absorb ultraviolet (UV) light energy and protect the skin fromfree radicaldamage when used to promoteskin health. Some may find vitamin E as an ingredient in sunscreen.
Why Is Vitamin E Oil Good for Hair? 3 Reasons to Indulge
How Much Vitamin E Is Needed Per Day?
Because of the body’s ability to store vitamin E, it does not need to be consumed daily.
Vitamin E Oil: Are the Benefits Worth Trying?
Best Vitamin E Food Sources
Vitamin E is found in many foods, especially oils, nuts, and seeds. Foods high in vitamin E include:
Wheat germ oil contains a lot of vitamin E, at 20.3 mg per tablespoon.
Symptoms of Vitamin E Deficiency
Vitamin E deficiencyis rare in healthy people but common in people who experience fat malabsorption that results in malnutrition. Signs indicating you are deficient in vitamin E include:
Those most at risk of vitamin E deficiency are people withmalabsorption syndromes, such as:
Vitamin E for Scars: Worth Trying or Skipping?
Vitamin E Supplements
Supplementsmade from natural sources will contain a form of vitamin E called RRR-alpha-tocopherol or labeled as d-alpha-tocopherol. RRR-alpha-tocopherol is the most bioavailable form of alpha-tocopherol in the body, meaning it enters the circulatory system quickly. Synthetic alpha-tocopherol contains all forms of vitamin E and therefore is less bioavailable than RRR-alpha-tocopherol.
Vitamin E, even with independent testing, is not necessarily safe or effective for everyone. It’s important to consult with a healthcare provider about any supplements you plan to take.
Vitamin E and Drug InteractionsMost often, vitamin E does not interfere with medications. However, researchers have found that at high doses (more than 300 mg), it can lead to interactions with the following drugs:AspirinWarfarin(blood thinner, such as Jantoven)Tamoxifen(breast cancer medicine)Cyclosporine (dry eye treatment)
Vitamin E and Drug Interactions
Most often, vitamin E does not interfere with medications. However, researchers have found that at high doses (more than 300 mg), it can lead to interactions with the following drugs:AspirinWarfarin(blood thinner, such as Jantoven)Tamoxifen(breast cancer medicine)Cyclosporine (dry eye treatment)
Most often, vitamin E does not interfere with medications. However, researchers have found that at high doses (more than 300 mg), it can lead to interactions with the following drugs:
Tocopheryl Acetate: A Synthetic Form of Vitamin E
Link Between Vitamin E and Health Conditions
There is some evidence that vitamin E has a protective effect on some health conditions. However, most evidence is older and conflicting. More research on vitamin E’s impact on certain conditions is needed.
Heart Disease
The evidence on the connection between vitamin E and heart disease is conflicting. An older study found that vitamin E supplementation may reduce the risk of venousthromboembolism(blood clots that form in a vein).However, other studies have found no differences in cardiovascular events between people who took the supplement and those who did not.
Cancer
However, another study on the effect of vitamins C and E on mortality (death) frombladder cancerfound an association between vitamin E supplements, when used for 10 or more years, and reduced bladder cancer mortality.Taking the supplement for a shorter term had no effect.
Eye Disorders
Cognitive Decline
Since free radicals may influence the development of cognitive disorders, some have speculated that vitamin E as an antioxidant could play a role in reducing the risk. However, research thus far has not supported this theory. A review of two studies found no evidence that vitamin E prevents or treatsAlzheimer’s diseaseormild cognitive impairment.
Gynecologic Conditions
Some research indicates that vitamin E may help with certain gynecologic conditions, includingendometriosis(when tissue similar to that of the uterus grows outside the uterus),dysmenorrhea(painful periods), and genital tract infections.
Summary
Vitamin E is essential for cellular immunity and cell function, skin health, and developing blood cells. It is readily found in foods like oils, nuts, and seeds. As a fat-soluble vitamin, your body stores vitamin E in your fat cells for later use, meaning you don’t need to consume it daily. Deficiency of this nutrient is rare in healthy people, but those with malabsorption conditions may be more susceptible to vitamin E deficiency.
14 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: Office of Dietary Supplements.Vitamin E: Fact sheet for health professionals.Rizvi S, Raza ST, Ahmed F, Ahmad A, Abbas S, Mahdi F.The role of vitamin e in human health and some diseases.Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J. 2014;14(2):e157-e165.MedlinePlus.Vitamin E.Oregon State University.Vitamin E and skin health.Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.Vitamin E.Oregon State University.Vitamin e.Podszun M, Frank J.Vitamin E-drug interactions: molecular basis and clinical relevance.Nutr Res Rev. 2014;27(2):215-231. doi:10.1017/S0954422414000146Glynn RJ, Ridker PM, Goldhaber SZ, Zee RY, Buring JE.Effects of random allocation to vitamin E supplementation on the occurrence of venous thromboembolism: report from the Women’s Health Study.Circulation. 2007;116(13):1497-1503. doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.107.716407Lonn E, Bosch J, Yusuf S, et al.Effects of long-term vitamin E supplementation on cardiovascular events and cancer: a randomized controlled trial.JAMA. 2005;293(11):1338-1347. doi:10.1001/jama.293.11.1338Jacobs EJ, Henion AK, Briggs PJ, et al.Vitamin C and vitamin E supplement use and bladder cancer mortality in a large cohort of US men and women.Am J Epidemiol. 2002;156(11):1002-1010. doi:10.1093/aje/kwf147Age-Related Eye Disease Study Research Group.A randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trial of high-dose supplementation with vitamins C and E, beta carotene, and zinc for age-related macular degeneration and vision loss: AREDS report no. 8[published correction appears in Arch Ophthalmol. 2008 Sep;126(9):1251].Arch Ophthalmol. 2001;119(10):1417-1436. doi:10.1001/archopht.119.10.1417Taylor HR, Tikellis G, Robman LD, McCarty CA, McNeil JJ.Vitamin E supplementation and macular degeneration: randomised controlled trial.BMJ. 2002;325(7354):11. doi:10.1136/bmj.325.7354.11Isaac MG, Quinn R, Tabet N.Vitamin E for Alzheimer’s disease and mild cognitive impairment.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2008;(3):CD002854. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD002854.pub2Md Amin NA, Sheikh Abdul Kadir SH, Arshad AH, et al.Are vitamin E supplementation beneficial for female gynecology health and diseases?.Molecules. 2022;27(6):1896. doi:10.3390/molecules27061896
14 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: Office of Dietary Supplements.Vitamin E: Fact sheet for health professionals.Rizvi S, Raza ST, Ahmed F, Ahmad A, Abbas S, Mahdi F.The role of vitamin e in human health and some diseases.Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J. 2014;14(2):e157-e165.MedlinePlus.Vitamin E.Oregon State University.Vitamin E and skin health.Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.Vitamin E.Oregon State University.Vitamin e.Podszun M, Frank J.Vitamin E-drug interactions: molecular basis and clinical relevance.Nutr Res Rev. 2014;27(2):215-231. doi:10.1017/S0954422414000146Glynn RJ, Ridker PM, Goldhaber SZ, Zee RY, Buring JE.Effects of random allocation to vitamin E supplementation on the occurrence of venous thromboembolism: report from the Women’s Health Study.Circulation. 2007;116(13):1497-1503. doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.107.716407Lonn E, Bosch J, Yusuf S, et al.Effects of long-term vitamin E supplementation on cardiovascular events and cancer: a randomized controlled trial.JAMA. 2005;293(11):1338-1347. doi:10.1001/jama.293.11.1338Jacobs EJ, Henion AK, Briggs PJ, et al.Vitamin C and vitamin E supplement use and bladder cancer mortality in a large cohort of US men and women.Am J Epidemiol. 2002;156(11):1002-1010. doi:10.1093/aje/kwf147Age-Related Eye Disease Study Research Group.A randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trial of high-dose supplementation with vitamins C and E, beta carotene, and zinc for age-related macular degeneration and vision loss: AREDS report no. 8[published correction appears in Arch Ophthalmol. 2008 Sep;126(9):1251].Arch Ophthalmol. 2001;119(10):1417-1436. doi:10.1001/archopht.119.10.1417Taylor HR, Tikellis G, Robman LD, McCarty CA, McNeil JJ.Vitamin E supplementation and macular degeneration: randomised controlled trial.BMJ. 2002;325(7354):11. doi:10.1136/bmj.325.7354.11Isaac MG, Quinn R, Tabet N.Vitamin E for Alzheimer’s disease and mild cognitive impairment.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2008;(3):CD002854. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD002854.pub2Md Amin NA, Sheikh Abdul Kadir SH, Arshad AH, et al.Are vitamin E supplementation beneficial for female gynecology health and diseases?.Molecules. 2022;27(6):1896. doi:10.3390/molecules27061896
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: Office of Dietary Supplements.Vitamin E: Fact sheet for health professionals.Rizvi S, Raza ST, Ahmed F, Ahmad A, Abbas S, Mahdi F.The role of vitamin e in human health and some diseases.Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J. 2014;14(2):e157-e165.MedlinePlus.Vitamin E.Oregon State University.Vitamin E and skin health.Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.Vitamin E.Oregon State University.Vitamin e.Podszun M, Frank J.Vitamin E-drug interactions: molecular basis and clinical relevance.Nutr Res Rev. 2014;27(2):215-231. doi:10.1017/S0954422414000146Glynn RJ, Ridker PM, Goldhaber SZ, Zee RY, Buring JE.Effects of random allocation to vitamin E supplementation on the occurrence of venous thromboembolism: report from the Women’s Health Study.Circulation. 2007;116(13):1497-1503. doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.107.716407Lonn E, Bosch J, Yusuf S, et al.Effects of long-term vitamin E supplementation on cardiovascular events and cancer: a randomized controlled trial.JAMA. 2005;293(11):1338-1347. doi:10.1001/jama.293.11.1338Jacobs EJ, Henion AK, Briggs PJ, et al.Vitamin C and vitamin E supplement use and bladder cancer mortality in a large cohort of US men and women.Am J Epidemiol. 2002;156(11):1002-1010. doi:10.1093/aje/kwf147Age-Related Eye Disease Study Research Group.A randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trial of high-dose supplementation with vitamins C and E, beta carotene, and zinc for age-related macular degeneration and vision loss: AREDS report no. 8[published correction appears in Arch Ophthalmol. 2008 Sep;126(9):1251].Arch Ophthalmol. 2001;119(10):1417-1436. doi:10.1001/archopht.119.10.1417Taylor HR, Tikellis G, Robman LD, McCarty CA, McNeil JJ.Vitamin E supplementation and macular degeneration: randomised controlled trial.BMJ. 2002;325(7354):11. doi:10.1136/bmj.325.7354.11Isaac MG, Quinn R, Tabet N.Vitamin E for Alzheimer’s disease and mild cognitive impairment.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2008;(3):CD002854. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD002854.pub2Md Amin NA, Sheikh Abdul Kadir SH, Arshad AH, et al.Are vitamin E supplementation beneficial for female gynecology health and diseases?.Molecules. 2022;27(6):1896. doi:10.3390/molecules27061896
National Institutes of Health: Office of Dietary Supplements.Vitamin E: Fact sheet for health professionals.
Rizvi S, Raza ST, Ahmed F, Ahmad A, Abbas S, Mahdi F.The role of vitamin e in human health and some diseases.Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J. 2014;14(2):e157-e165.
MedlinePlus.Vitamin E.
Oregon State University.Vitamin E and skin health.
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.Vitamin E.
Oregon State University.Vitamin e.
Podszun M, Frank J.Vitamin E-drug interactions: molecular basis and clinical relevance.Nutr Res Rev. 2014;27(2):215-231. doi:10.1017/S0954422414000146
Glynn RJ, Ridker PM, Goldhaber SZ, Zee RY, Buring JE.Effects of random allocation to vitamin E supplementation on the occurrence of venous thromboembolism: report from the Women’s Health Study.Circulation. 2007;116(13):1497-1503. doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.107.716407
Lonn E, Bosch J, Yusuf S, et al.Effects of long-term vitamin E supplementation on cardiovascular events and cancer: a randomized controlled trial.JAMA. 2005;293(11):1338-1347. doi:10.1001/jama.293.11.1338
Jacobs EJ, Henion AK, Briggs PJ, et al.Vitamin C and vitamin E supplement use and bladder cancer mortality in a large cohort of US men and women.Am J Epidemiol. 2002;156(11):1002-1010. doi:10.1093/aje/kwf147
Age-Related Eye Disease Study Research Group.A randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trial of high-dose supplementation with vitamins C and E, beta carotene, and zinc for age-related macular degeneration and vision loss: AREDS report no. 8[published correction appears in Arch Ophthalmol. 2008 Sep;126(9):1251].Arch Ophthalmol. 2001;119(10):1417-1436. doi:10.1001/archopht.119.10.1417
Taylor HR, Tikellis G, Robman LD, McCarty CA, McNeil JJ.Vitamin E supplementation and macular degeneration: randomised controlled trial.BMJ. 2002;325(7354):11. doi:10.1136/bmj.325.7354.11
Isaac MG, Quinn R, Tabet N.Vitamin E for Alzheimer’s disease and mild cognitive impairment.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2008;(3):CD002854. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD002854.pub2
Md Amin NA, Sheikh Abdul Kadir SH, Arshad AH, et al.Are vitamin E supplementation beneficial for female gynecology health and diseases?.Molecules. 2022;27(6):1896. doi:10.3390/molecules27061896
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
