The best natural sources are wheat germ, whole grains, vegetable oils, soya beans, nuts, apples, apricots and green vegetables.

Vitamin E deficiency may cause anemia, as a result of red blood cell destruction and neurological dysfunction, myopathies, and diminished erythrocyte life span. New clinical evidence from heavy drinkers suggests that alcohol may increase oxidation of Alpha-Tocopherol. Increased demand has also been observed in premature infants and patients with malabsorption.

It is generally non-toxic but some evidence suggests that large intakes may cause increased levels of blood cholesterol and lipids. It can oxidize within a few months of being manufactured, so supplements should not be stored for longer. It is destroyed by heat, freezing, food processing, chlorine and iron.

Vitamin E supplements are usually sold as alpha-tocopheryl acetate, a form that protects its ability to function as an antioxidant. The synthetic form is labeled "D, L" while the natural form is labeled "D". The synthetic form is only half as active as the natural form. (U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. 2004. USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 16-1. Nutrient Data Laboratory)

Antioxidants such as vitamin E act to protect your cells against the effects of free radicals, which are potentially damaging by-products of energy metabolism. Free radicals can damage cells and may contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease and cancer. Studies are underway to determine whether vitamin E, through its ability to limit production of free radicals, might help prevent or delay the development of those chronic diseases. Vitamin E has also been shown to play a role in immune function, in DNA repair, and other metabolic processes.
(Source: Traber MG. Vitamin E. In: Shils ME, Olson JA, Shike M, Ross AC, ed. Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease. 10th ed. Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins, 1999:347-62. )

An Institute of Medicine (IOM) report on vitamin E published in 2000 cautions that low fat diets can result in a significant decrease in vitamin E intake. (Source: Institute of Medicine, Food and Nutrition board. Dietary Reference Intakes: Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Selenium, and Carotenoids. National Academy Press, Washington, DC, 2000. )

Individuals who cannot absorb fat require a vitamin E supplement because some dietary fat is needed for the absorption of vitamin E from the gastrointestinal tract.

People who cannot absorb fat often pass greasy stools or have chronic diarrhea. People with an inability to secrete bile, a substance that helps fat digestion, may need a special water-soluble form of vitamin E. (Source: Farrell P and Roberts R. Vitamin E. In: Shils M, Olson JA, and Shike M, ed. Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Lea and Febiger, 1994:326-41.)

Vitamin E in the diet may help reduce the risk of some of the most common diseases, such as heart disease and Alzheimer%uFFFDs disease. Normal cell function results in byproducts known as free radicals. Free radicals can %uFFFDattack%uFFFD other cell substances, causing damage to the cell wall, metabolic machinery, and genetic material (DNA). Cells have natural defenses against this damage, including the antioxidants vitamins C and E, but with age some of these defenses decline. Brain cell damage caused by free radicals may play a role in Alzheimer%uFFFDs disease.

APHRODISIAC

[YEA]  07/16/2006: Mary from Portsmouth, UK writes: "I totally agree with the nurse from NYC - Vit E does seem to be an aphrodisiac! I put a few drops in with a plastic spoon nightly, & after a while was aware that my vagina felt & smelt healthy for a change. Suddenly, after four & a half weeks, I had an unexpected surge of libido which has shown no signs of abating. I'm so happy to have got back what used to be a very important part of me & which after a 4 year 'drought' I had become convinced had gone for ever. Tell everyone about it! Especially women post menopause (like me), who think loss of erotic feeling is something they just have to get used to. Incidentally, I was already on a very good high Vit E diet."

[YEA]  Joanne from NYC, NY writes: "A nurse at my college health clinic told me about vitamin E for vaginal dryness. Let me tell you, it works wonders! I take 1 capsule 2x a day. I also think that it is a aphrodisiac. Well, maybe it's just me. Hope to hear back from other women about this!"

[YEA]  Erica from Tuscon, AZ writes: "I have been taking Effexor the past year now and, like many others, discovered how much it lowered my sex drive. I did a little research and came upon Vitamin E supplementation. It definitely helps... so does a lot of strenous exercise!"

BREAST CYST

BREAST PAIN

HEMMORHOIDS

HOT FLASHES

ITCHY SKIN

LIVER SPOTS

MULTIPLE CURES

[YEA]  "I have used vitamin E for some time, while I was a bodybuilder, as it aids recuperation. But more recently I have been using it, as part of my regime to lower my high cholesterol.

I also do a lot of writing that demand a lot of intellectual, input. This is where it became apparent that vitamin E actually boosts intellectual competence. But that is not the whole story. It only works in intellectual favour if taken in the morning, which implies during the first three hours after you have wakened. If you take it after lunch or the evening it has no noticeable effect at all on boosting intellectual competence.

But, while that may seem appealing, there is one downer, in the equation of the practice. Taken in the morning vitamin E makes you moody and intolerant of anything negative you may encounter. This may not seem much, but those down points were to such extent that led to me changing the time I am taking vitamin E in the evening, before going to sleep. And I am now back to my cheerful and tolerant self, again. And I do not care if my books suffer as consequence, which will give you an idea of how bad the negative influence, was. But it does wonders for intellectual competence, which implies the negative effect on the emotions is a real shame.

MUSCLE ACHES AND PAINS

SIDE EFFECTS