Benefits of vitamin E

Benefits of Vitamin E

Other names – ?-tocopherol, ?-tocopheryl

Recommended Daily Intake – 30 IU

Optimal Intake- 100-300 IU

Good Sources- Sunflower seeds, wheat germ

We all know that oxygen is one of the most important parts of our lives and we are nothing without this primary component of nature. The same oxygen when enters in to the human body, becomes overly reactive due to the several bodily reactions and start causing damage through the formation of free radicals. This process is also known as an oxidative stress. Vitamin E is the best antioxidant that helps prevent oxidative stress, thereby preventing cell damage and aging of the cells.

 When our body absorbs cholesterol from the food, this absorbed cholesterol then transferred to the different tissues of the body by our liver. Cholesterol carried in the bloodstream by a molecule called Low Density Lipoproteins (LDL). Due to the oxidation, LDL reacts with cholesterol to form a waxy fat like substance called plaque. This resultant plaque is responsible for thickening arteries wall, which results in the high blood pressure and cardio-vascular diseases.

 Vitamin E helps prevent the conversion of cholesterol into plaque, and this process is mainly done by alpha-tocopherol form of vitamin E not any other form, because liver places it preferentially in the bloodstream through a protein called alpha-tocopherol transfer protein.

Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant which is also used in cancer prevention. Vitamin E is also beneficial for the prevention of breast cancer in women after menopause.

Vitamin is very beneficial for the skin; vitamin E helps protect the skin from ultraviolet radiation, whose harmful effects include photo dermatitis, an allergic type reaction to the UV rays of the sun.

 Other benefits of vitamin E are:

-         It helps prevent many brain related disorders.

-         It is beneficial in the treatment and healing of scars, wounds and burns.

-         It helps prevent pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas).

-         The property of combating oxidative stress may be useful for athletes, as their oxygen utilization rate is higher than those not doing exercise, which results in increased generation of free radicals.

Without proper conclusions from studies, it would be premature to opt for supplements without the advice of medical practitioner. However, it is generally recommended to take several servings of vegetables and fruits that are rich in antioxidants.