Vitamin E

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Vitamin E (the tocopherols). There are four different types, alpha, beta, gamma and delta tocopherol. They all have the same physiological properties, they are yellow, oily liquids, free soluble in fat solvents and remarkably stable to heat.

In the presence of fats they undergo slow oxidation and consequent inactivation but in so doing they protect the fats from oxidation and thus rancidity.  They also protect both Vitamin A and carotene from oxidation and thus are natural antioxidants.

Physiological Action
Vitamin E exerts an especially important antioxidant effect in the lungs, where the cells are exposed from high oxygen concentrations that can destroy their membranes.

Vitamin E protects the cell membranes of the red blood cells which of course carry oxygen to all other cells.  Vitamin E also protects the white blood cells and it is therefore important to the immune system.  Normal development also depends on Vitamin E.

Deficiency
There is no real evidence to suggest that Vitamin E deficiency ever occurs in humans.  The main reason for this being that Vitamin E is so widespread in foods that it is almost impossible to create a Vitamin E deficient food intake.  A second reason is that Vitamin E is so easily stored in the fatty tissues of the human body that a deficiency is unlikely.

A number of disease conditions, however, can cause Vitamin E deficiency - especially those which cause fat malabsorption, these include diseases of the liver, gallbladder and pancreas as these organs are all involved in the digestion and absorption of fats.

Toxicity
Toxicity is rare and it is suggested that daily doses below 300 milligrams are harmless.

Dietary Sources
The richest source are fats of vegetable origin - wheatgerm, corn, soya bean, peanut, coconut oils, wholegrain cereal products, eggs, butter, liver, nuts and seeds.

Recommended Minimum Dietary Intake

• Children under 7 2.5 – 6.0mg alpha TE 
• Children  8.0 – 11.0mg alpha TE 
• Men  10mg alpha TE 
• Women  7.0 alpha TE
• Pregnancy  +0.0mg alpha TE 
• Lactation  +2.5mg alpha TE 
• The RDI for Vitamin E is based on body size.