Vitamin E (Alpha-tocopherol)

Also known as: Alpha-tocopherol, a-tocopherol.

Vitamin E is the collective term for a family of eight substances consisting of four tocopherols (alpha, beta, gamma, delta) and four tocotrienols (alpha, beta, gamma and delta.)

Alpha-tocopherol is the form of vitamin E that is absorbed, accumulated, and can be measured in human blood in human blood, but Gamma tocopherol is the main form of Vitamin E that is found in the diet.

The body converts the ingested gamma form of vitamin E to the alpha form.

Vitamin E is one of the vitamins required by the human body which are fat soluble.

This means that any extra Vitamin E is stored in fat cells until it is needed by the body.

Vitamin E is also known as Tocopheral. It is also called several different names because of the various forms of Vitamin E.

These include:

Alpha-tocopherol or a-tocopherol, the most active form of Vitamin E in the body Synthetic tocopherol, usually labeled D,L-tocopherol, only half as potent as natural tocopherol.

Natural tocopherol, which is usually labeled D-tocopherol Tocotrienol.

Vitamin E is a substance found in food and taken as a dietary supplement.

It is fat-soluble, which means the body stores any Vitamin E, potentially causing toxicity if taken in large amounts. It is a strong antioxidant.

Vitamin E feels oily to the touch and is frequently used in beauty products such as skin lotions.

Home Remedies using Vitamin E:

Benefits and Uses of Vitamin E:

Vitamin E has numerous health benefits when consumed or applied to the external body.

These include:

  • Applied to wounds, can help heal with less or no scarring
  • Reduce long term risk of dementia
  • In lotions and skin creams, seals in moisture and hydrates the skin
  • Protects cells against free radicals
  • Used as an anti-aging and anti-cancer vehicle
  • Increases immune system response
  • Helps to regulate metabolism
  • Aids in preventing heart disease

Vitamin E is frequently applied to the skin for its anti-aging antioxidant properties.

Taken internally as part of the daily diet or in dietary supplements, it improves the body’s resistance to disease and even cancer due to the improved immune system response.

Vitamin E is frequently contained in over the counter beauty products including skin creams, lotions, shampoos, hair conditioner, body soap, and even toilet paper.

As a dietary supplement, Vitamin E can be found in gel capsules or as a component of a balanced daily multi-vitamin.

It is also contained in a variety of foods which include:

  • Wheat germ oil
  • Almonds
  • Sunflower seeds
  • Peanuts and peanut butters
  • Broccoli and spinach
  • Kiwi and mango
  • Oils made from sunflower, corn, soybean, or safflower

Side Effects of Vitamin E:

Adults require about 11 milligrams of Vitamin E each day.

Many adults, however, take as much as 1,000 mg per day on a regular basis without toxicity.

In rare cases where huge amounts of the vitamin are consumed, muscle weakness, fatigue, nausea or diarrhea.