Q. Can I get all the needed vitamin E through diet?
A. Most people do not get the Recommended Dietary
Allowance of vitamin E (15 mg) from their diet alone.
That’s why so many of us need to take a supplement
to ensure adequate intake. You can get more vitamin E
into your diet by consuming such foods as nuts, green
leafy vegetables and fortified cereals. You can also get
vitamin E from a multivitamin or a single vitamin E supplement.
Q. Is it safe to take more vitamin E than what I can
get in a multivitamin?
A. Yes, and for many people high doses of vitamin
E is beneficial. The Institute of Medicine, a scientific
advisory body, has set an Upper Level (a dose at which
there is no known harm) for vitamin E at 1000 mg (1000
IU of synthetic vitamin E, or 1500 IU natural vitamin
E).
Q. What is the common dose of vitamin E?
A. The most commonly marketed dose of single-nutrient
vitamin E in the U.S. is 400 IU.
Q. What is the link between vitamin E and the protection
of my eyesight?
A. A number of studies spotlight the association
between vitamin E and reduced risk of cataracts (a major
cause of blindness throughout the world) and macular degeneration
(the number one cause of vision impairment in the United
States). In one study of people taking a multivitamin
or a supplement of C or E for a decade, results showed
a 60% lower incidence of cataracts among the group taking
a supplement. Other studies of people taking vitamins
E, C and zinc demonstrated they were better protected
from advanced macular degeneration than those individuals
who didn’t take them.
Q. Does vitamin E offer protection against developing
Alzheimer’s disease?
A. There is evidence to suggest that medications
or vitamins (such as vitamin E) that increase the levels
of catecholamines, certain chemicals in the brain, can
protect the neurons from damage that could otherwise lead
to Alzheimer’s disease. In addition, according to
a wide range of other studies, antioxidants like vitamin
E can improve brain function, short-term memory, problem-solving
and general reasoning skills.
Q. Does vitamin E help protect against cancer?
A. Studies have linked reduced rates of cancers
of the prostate, breast, and bladder with higher intakes
of vitamin E. It is believed that antioxidants such as
vitamin E reduce the risk because they help protect cell
membranes from free radicals—a byproduct of cellular
metabolism. They bind free radicals before they can do
damage to the cell.
Q. Does vitamin E help protect against heart disease?
A. A large body of experimental study and some
clinical research studies have indicated a link between
intake of the antioxidant vitamin E and a reduced risk
of heart disease. In addition, several ongoing trials
are being conducted between vitamin E and the risk of
heart disease.
Q. Is it important to continue studying the effects
of vitamin E?
A. Absolutely. Many studies underway around the
world will add to our knowledge over the coming years,
so that we can optimize the level and formulation of vitamin
E for various
age groups and for people with inherited risk factors
for a wide range of diseases.
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