1. Vitamin E By
Lauren Gervase

2. Vitamin E Vitamin E is also known as:
Alpha-tocopherol, tocopherol, tocotrienol

3. Tocopherol Chemical Composition
The term tocol is the trivial designation for 2-methyl-2-(4,8,12-trimethyltridecyl)chroman-6-ol (I, R1 = R2 = R3 = H)
1.3. Tocopherol(s).
The term tocopherol(s) should be used as a generic descriptor for all mono, di, and trimethyltocols. Thus, this term is not synonymous with the term vitamin E.

4. Tocopherol Chemical Composition

5. Functions of Vitamin E Antioxidant Regulates oxidation reactions
Cell-membrane stability
Protects polyunsaturated fatty acids and Vitamin A

6. Antioxidant Nutrients
Vitamin E, as well as Vitamin C and beta-carotene play an important role in the body’s defense against oxidative damage.
Antioxidants take free radicals and inactivate them.
It is important that Vitamin E is in the tissues, such as the brain and lungs which contain polyunsaturated fats.

7. Signs and Symptoms of Vitamin E Deficiency
Red blood cell breakage
Anemia – decreased Red blood cells
Neuropathy – Nerve cells become deadened to feeling
Weakness
Difficulty walking

8. Dietary Sources Wheat germ oil Wheat germ Sunflower seeds
Sunflower oil
Cottonseed oil
Canola oil
Brazil nuts
Hazelnuts

9. Dietary Sources (continued)
Peanut butter
Papaya
Avocado
Mango
Mustard greens
Broccoli
Butter

10. Recommended Daily Intake
Males: mg
Females: mg

11. People At Risk For Not getting Enough Vitamin E
Premature infants
People with stomach and intestinal diseases

12. Supplementing Vitamin E
Recent studies with high doses of supplemental Vitamin E (67 + mg) have shown cardiovascular risk reduction, however high dose supplementation of Vitamin E is a controversial issue and more data is needed.

13. Complications Related To Taking Vitamin E
In high doses (more than 670 mg) Vitamin E can cause gas, nausea, diarrhea, hemorrhage, and heart palpitations
Taking Vitamin E with blood thinning medication increases the risk of abnormal bleeding

14. Vitamin E Conversion
To convert international unit (IU) of Vitamin E to mg of Vitamin E, multiply by 0.67.

15. References www.nal.usda.gov/fnic