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What Is Vitamin E: The Complete Guide

What Is Vitamin E: The Complete Guide
Katie Lambert
Writer and expert6 years ago
View Katie Lambert's profile

Vitamin E is an essential nutrient that plays a role in many of our bodily functions. We can get it from our diet in vegetable oils, cereals, and meat, such as chicken. But as a nutrient that can have positive effects on many aspects of our health, lots of us are using supplements to get enough of this important vitamin.

What Is Vitamin E?

This vitamin is actually a group of 8 compounds, including:

  • Alpha-tocopherol
  • Beta-Tocopherol
  • Gamma-Tocopherol
  • Delta-Tocopherol

These eight compounds are powerful antioxidants, which help to protect your cells from damage. It fights potentially harmful free radicals, which can damage cells, leading to everything from low energy levels and dull or dry skin, to general fatigue, minor illness and major diseases.

What Are The Benefits Of Vitamin E?

Strong bones also owe a little debt to this vitamin. Elderly people, in particular, can benefit from supplements as they can contribute to stronger immunity and more stable energy levels.

Vitamin E has benefits on our health like:

  • Combating oxidative stress (fighting harmful free radicals)
  • A strong immune system
  • Stable energy levels
  • Strong bones

As an antioxidant, Vitamin E is also believed to have a positive effect on our skin.

When And How Much Should I Take?

Adults need around 15mg of vitamin E a day, although the National Institute For Health (NIH) estimates that most of us don't get enough in our diets.

Taking a multivitamin can help to support your overall health and wellbeing with a range of essential vitamins and minerals.

 

National Institue For Health, 2018. ‘Vitamin E’ <https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminE-Consumer/#h5>

Katie Lambert
Writer and expert
View Katie Lambert's profile
After studying History at The University of Leeds, Katie moved back to her home town of Manchester to start a career in content writing. Katie has a passion for health and fitness and enjoys running in her spare time. Her favourite topics to write about include healthy recipes, performance strategies and general wellbeing.
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