Vitamin E is an antioxidant vitamin that prevents you from several life-threatening health problems. Diseases like Alzheimer’s disease, heart problems, cataracts, AIDS, and cancer show an improvement by the use of vitamin E.1
Do you want to enjoy your life without vision problems and cognitive loss? Vitamin E is the solution. You can enjoy a healthy memory and improved vision in your agedness if your body has an adequate amount of Vitamin E.1
It boosts your immune system and prevents infections. It is a fat-soluble vitamin and protects you against reactive substances produced in the body.
According to the Harvard School of Public Health, the recommended intake of vitamin E is 22 IU for people above 14 years of age. Pregnant women should also take 22 IU. However, lactating women need 28 IU of vitamin E. It is available in foods such as sunflower oil, almonds, wheat germ oil, peanut butter, and avocado.3
People having digestive problems may become deficient in vitamin D. Deficient people may develop impaired vision or loss of control on body movements.
This article gives you the benefits of vitamin E on your health.
• Prevents Heart Disease
Coronary heart diseases arise from the damage to the blood vessels supplying blood to the heart muscle. Vitamin E can reduce the damage to these blood vessels and delay the incidence of the disease. The cholesterol-lowering effect of vitamin E can decrease the damage to the blood vessels.4
Vitamin E also prevents heart attack and blood clot formation. People having a high risk of heart diseases by genetic predisposition can benefit from the supplements of vitamin E. 5 Having high intakes of Vitamin E shows a 30-40% lower risk of heart diseases. 6
Source: The Storyteller: Heart Attack Symptoms, Overview & First Aid. Accessed May 3, 2021. 32
Source: The Storyteller: Heart Attack Symptoms, Overview & First Aid. Accessed May 3, 2021. 32
The problems related to the heart are the number one cause of death in the US. High intake of Vitamin E from food has shown a decreased level of fatality from heart diseases. Vitamin E also helps to relax the blood vessels by stimulating the production of nitric oxide. Relaxed vessels help to reduce the load on the heart and improve the function of the heart. 7
The researcher found that using 100 milligrams of vitamin E per day can reduce the clotting in the blood vessels. Vitamin E decreases cholesterol levels and inhibits the aggregation of the cells in the blood. Vitamin E also reduces the synthesis of cholesterol in the liver. Hence, it reduces the chance of blood vessel damage by cholesterol.8
Vitamin E helps lower the risk of heart diseases, but researchers are finding more evidence on the effect of the vitamin on patients with heart problems. It is better to use supplements according to the advice of your physician.
• Reduces the Cancer Risk
Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant. Your body makes some harmful, highly reactive substances called free radicals. These free radicals can damage the cells of your body. If unchecked, these radicals might cause cancer. Vitamin E serves as a block to these reactive substances and prevents damage to your cells.9
Some studies show that Vitamin E reduces the production of cancer-causing chemicals in your stomach. It activates your immune system and thus, prevents cancer. Research in Lowa found that high intake of the vitamin can reduce the colon cancer risk in women more than 65 years of age.10
A study found that 400 IU per day use of vitamin E shows a 71% reduction in the risk of prostate cancer among smokers.11 Another clinical trial found 32% less prostate cancer in male smokers as compared to those who didn’t take the supplements.12
Source: www.scientia.global/wp-content/uploads/Baowei_Fei/page_1 33
Source: www.scientia.global/wp-content/uploads/Baowei_Fei/page_1 33
Vitamin E has shown a decreased risk of bladder cancer. The American Cancer Society study found that people taking Vitamin E for more than ten years showed a decrease in the death rate from bladder cancer.13
Vitamin E also stimulates the genes that suppress cancer. Thus, it activates anti-cancer processes in the body. It also decreases the production of proteins that are involved in cancer progression. Also, the blood supply to the tumor reduces by using Vitamin E. 14
Vitamin E also reduces the synthesis of collagenase, which is involved in the growth of cancer. Research showed that Vitamin E use stimulated the killing of cancer cells within three days.15
• Beneficial in Eye Diseases
Cataracts are a common disease of old age. It causes vision loss due to the damage caused by free radicals. The antioxidant properties of vitamin D can suppress the damage to the lens of the eye. Patients taking vitamin E supplements experienced a clear lens and improved vision.16
Long-term use of vitamin E can slow down cataracts. Age-related macular disease is also a prevailing disease in old people. It happens by the damage to the eye portion where the image forms. This damage is also caused by free radicals. Vitamin E could prevent the condition.16
Taking a high dose of vitamin E can show a 20 % reduction in the risk of macular damage.17 A research found a 25% reduced risk of age-related macular damage by taking 400 IU vitamin E along with other vitamins.18
Source: www.publicdomainpictures.net 19
An analysis states that the use of multivitamins, antioxidant vitamins, and minerals can significantly delay the progression of age-related macular damage. An analysis of 19 studies was conducted in different countries like the USA, China, and Europe. Age-Related Eye Disease Study in the USA found that people taking antioxidant multivitamins have less risk of advanced eye disease. 20
In another study, researchers found that taking vitamins can reduce the risk of losing vision and decrease the incidence of macular disease.20
• Protects Against Low Brain Activity in Old People
People with Alzheimer’s disease have a decreased brain function. It can be due to the oxidative stress of free radicals. This disease can severely impair the patient. Vitamin E is an antioxidant and slows down the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.16
A clinical trial in patients with Alzheimer’s disease found that using 2,000 IU of vitamin E per day can reduce the risk of severity of the disease. Also, vitamin E intake as supplements or through diet was associated with less deterioration of brain function.21
Source: www.bmj.com 34
Source: www.bmj.com 34
A study in the Nutrients journal evaluated the relation of vitamin E with stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, and heart diseases. The researchers found that vitamin E can improve the condition in mild to moderate Alzheimer’s patients. These patients were able to perform their routine activities after taking a high dose of vitamin D.22
High levels of the vitamin in the blood are associated with increased intellectual activity. The study on 442 healthy people confirms the vitamin E role in increasing brain activity. Antioxidants can significantly reduce the aging of the brain in people 65 years of age or older.23
According to research, high levels of antioxidants in the blood can improve memory. The results showed that a decrease in Vitamin E blood levels is associated with a significant reduction in memory function. Another study on 34 men and 86 women of age 65-91 years showed that people with intake less than 50% of the recommended dosage had decrease intellectual activity.24
• Reduces Skin Problems
Vitamin E has been used in dermatology for many years. It protects the damage to the skin by sunlight. Its antioxidant role can reduce the free radicle damage to the skin. It can also prevent skin cancer. Rat studies showed that the use of Vitamin E causes an inhibition of cancer caused by ultraviolet light on the skin.25
Vitamin E can reduce acne. It prevents the inflammation in acne by inhibiting the lipid reaction. It also moisturizes your skin and may help in itching conditions. Eczema is a condition in which skin becomes dry, flaky, and starts to itch. This condition can be overcome by the use of vitamin E. 25
Source: http://clamorworld.com/ 35
Source: http://clamorworld.com/ 35
One study showed that the topical Vitamin E reduces the autoimmune disease of the skin, psoriasis. This disease affects 8 million people in the US. The research on a product containing vitamin E cream found that the product can provide a modest therapy to psoriasis. This study also found that there are no significant side effects by the vitamin E use.26
The use of Vitamin E might increase wound healing. It can also treat the yellowing of nails in a dose of about 1000 IU. 27A study was performed on 96 patients having an inflammation of skin called dermatitis. The researchers found remission of the disease and a 62% decrease in allergy-causing antibodies in the blood.28
Vitamin E can also treat pressure sores by the intake of 800 IU per liter. Vitamin E is now a popular dermatological treatment. Its importance in controlling skin diseases is due to its antioxidant role. 28
• Boosts Your Immunity
Vitamin E is the first line of defense against the lipid reaction with the free radicles. This reaction leads to damage to the immune cells. Thus, vitamin E is present in every cell of the body to reduce the oxidative stress in the cell. 29
The functions of B and T cells of the immune system impair due to a deficiency of vitamin E. It also enhances the innate and acquired immune systems of the body, especially in the elderly. In Vitamin E deficiency, there is an increased risk of infections. 29
In AIDS patients, the immunity decreases to a threatful extent. The use of vitamin E can significantly increase immunity in AIDS patients. As a person gets old, his immune system begins to decline. Vitamin E boosts up immunity in old age.30
Vitamin E plays an important role in the development of immune cells and helps them to mature. In some conditions, X-ray radiation degenerates the thymus, which is an organ that produces immune cells. Vitamin E helps in the recovery of this organ.30
With the supplementation of vitamin E in animals, antibodies in the blood highly stimulate, and their production also increases. The chemicals of the immune system like IL-2 also form by the stimulation of Vitamin E. It also enhances the defense against infectious agents.31
Conclusion
Vitamin E is an efficient antioxidant in the body. It is present in every cell to protect against the damage caused by reactive species. It helps to prevent heart diseases by relaxing the vessels and lowering the cholesterol levels in the blood. Vitamin E can improve the functioning of the immune system and helps in the prevention of infective diseases.
It also reduces the cancer risk by deactivating the oxidative stress mechanisms and activating genes to suppress cancer. Studies show a decreased risk of breast, prostate, and bladder cancer. The prevention of eye diseases in old age is also possible by using Vitamin E. It also shows a reduction in skin problems and boosting of the immune system. The cognitive ability also increases by Vitamin E.
Hence, using this antioxidant vitamin can reduce the stress on your body and leads you to a healthy life.
References
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