Vitamin E is a fat soluble antioxidant vitamin that helps to neutralize potentially damaging free radicals in our body. It exists in eight different forms, d-alpha-tocopherol being the most active form and one of the most powerful biologically active antioxidants. Each form has a different level of potency (functional use) in the body. The tocopherol and tocotrienol subfamilies are each composed of alpha, beta, gamma and delta vitamins having unique biological effects, with generally declining activity; e.g. delta is far less active than the alpha form.
As a supplement, Vitamin E has a number of health benefits for the body. Vitamin E is particularly important for the protection of our cell membranes as well as keeping your skin, heart and circulation, nerves, muscles and red blood cells healthy. Antioxidants such as vitamin E protect your cells against the effects of dangerous free radicals, potentially damaging by-products of your body’s metabolism. Free radicals can cause cell damage that may lead to the development of cardiovascular disease and cancer.
One or more members of the vitamin E family may also reduce cellular aging, inhibit the potentially damaging peroxynitrite radical, inhibit melanoma (skin cancer) cell growth, prevent abnormal blood clotting, synergize with vitamin A to protect the lungs against pollutants, protect nervous system and retina, lower the risk of ischemic and coronary heart disease, lower the risk of certain kinds of cancer, protect immune function and reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, particularly if high doses are taken in combination with vitamin C. Vitamins E, A, and C can all be found in a good liquid multivitamin.
Vitamin E also may block the formation of nitrosamines, which are carcinogens formed in the stomach from nitrites consumed in the diet. It also may protect you against the development of cancers by enhancing immune function. Some evidence links higher intake of vitamin E with a decreased incidence of prostate cancer and breast cancer.
Among other benefits of vitamin E, especially when taken in amounts above the RDA, are:
intakes of vitamin e higher than the daily-recommended requirement have shown that vitamin e may be useful in treating or possibly preventing:
•menstrual pain
•low sperm count
•inflammation of eye tissues
•cataracts
•restless leg syndrome or relief from muscle cramping
•Parkinson’s disease
•rheumatoid arthritis
•asthma
•various diabetes related complications and maybe helpful in treating and preventing diabetes itself
•cardiovascular disease
In terms of skin health and skin care, vitamin e benefits are numerous. In fact, skin care products that contain vitamin e have become an essential part of healthy skin care.
First of all, because of its antioxidant activity, vitamin e is vital in protecting skin cells from ultra violet light, pollution, drugs, and other elements that produce cell damaging free radicals. It is believed that vitamin e is most effective in its natural alcohol form rather than its acetate form where it is a less effective antioxidant. Watch for this in the labeling of skin care products.
The benefits of vitamin e for healthy skin care also include its ability to regulate vitamin a in the body, which itself is important for healthy skin.
Vitamin e added to lotions, creams, and other skin care products, as well as taken orally, plays a role in the anti-aging of skin. It helps skin look younger by reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Also, free radicals are believed to play an important role in skin aging and therefore the antioxidant activity is quite valuable for this skin problem.
Vitamin e lotions provide some benefit in preventing and treating sunburns. These lotions protect the epidermis layer of the skin from early stages of ultra violet light damage. Vitamin e preparations also increase the effectiveness of sunscreens. Such lotions do not work immediately. They must be applied about 20 minutes before sun exposure in order to allow the vitamin e to be absorbed deep into the epidermis layer.
Vitamin e can aid in the treatment of various skin diseases or skin conditions. Topical applications such as those used to treat psoriasis is one of the benefits of vitamin e. Orally ingested vitamin e can help treat ery thema (a skin inflammation that results in reddish, painful, and tender lumps).
One of the most important benefits of vitamin e is the prevention of skin cancer. This occurs because of its sun protection quality and of course its powerful antioxidant properties, which help reduce or prevent sun damage.
Other:
•vitamin e products help reduce the appearance of stretch marks
•vitamin e can help prevent the appearance of age spots
•it helps maintain the skin’s oil balance during the cleansing process
•it reduces transepidermal water loss from skin and strengthens the skin’s barrier function
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