Healthy Benefits of Vitamin E
Oral Antioxidant Supplements Improve Health and Prevent Disease
Nov 15, 2009
The cellular breakdown and oxidation of cells due to free radical damage can lead to many types of diseases, premature aging, and many other harmful health conditions. Protecting the human body, inside and out, with antioxidants like vitamin E is a pro-active way to combat future cellular damage.
How Vitamin E Helps
Vitamin E neutralizes free radicals in the body that attack cells to cause tissue and cellular damage (Lifeclinic). For optimum benefits to the skin, vitamin E should be applied topically in a lotion or cream. It can absorb effectively into the skin and provide many anti-aging benefits. Internally, vitamin E works best as a supplement or found naturally in foods.
Lots of natural fruits and vegetables contain Vitamin E (Lifeclinic), including:
- wheat germ
- vegetable oil and margarine
- avocado
- whole grain products
- egg yolk
- nuts
- liver
- peanut butter
How Much is Enough
Vitamin E is fat-soluble, which means that it is stored in the fat tissues of the body for a period of several days to six months (Lifeclinic). Too much of a fat-soluble nutrient can become stored in the liver, leading to some health problems, so it's best to regulate how much vitamin E is being taken in. Mega-doses will lead to toxicity.
Only small amounts of vitamin E, like any vitamin, are required to get the job done. "Eating a normal diet of foods rich in (vitamin E) won't cause a problem" (Lifeclinic). Refrigerating fresh produce will help maintain high levels of vitamin E within; vitamin supplements should be stored at room temperature for best effectiveness.
Women need about eight milligrams per day and men need 10 milligrams per day included in their diet.
Benefits to the Body
When taken orally, vitamin E has been shown to increase and regulate the body's levels of vitamin A as well as boosting the immune system. It promotes good blood circulation and can prevent the formation of blood clots, especially in people with diabetes (Healthy Skin).
A daily vitamin E intake has been linked to the following benefits for the body (Healthy Skin):
- menstrual pain
- low sperm count
- inflammation of eye tissues
- cataracts
- restless leg syndrome
- relief from muscle cramps
- Alzheimer's disease
- Parkinson's disease
- rheumatoid arthritis
- asthma
- diabetes complication (possibly treating and preventing diabetes itself)
- cardiovascular disease
- prostate cancer
- breast cancer
Too little vitamin E, though rare, can lead to nausea and digestive tract problems, so it's best to make sure to maintain a healthy diet rich with fruits and vegetables each day.
References:
- Healthy Skin Care. "Benefits of Vitamin E." Healthy-skincare.com Retrieved November 9, 2009.
- Life Clinic. "Vitamin E." Lifeclinic.com. Retrieved November 5, 2009.
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