Vitamin E
VITAMIN E
Vitamin E is a fat–soluble vitamin, which plays a role as an antioxidant in the body. It also helps to prevent free radical damage to specific fats in the body that are critical for your health. Vitamin E is required for the proper functioning of many organs in the body and is extremely useful in naturally slowing the aging process. It is found in many foods including vegetable oils, nuts, poultry, eggs, fruits and wheat germ oil. It is also available as a supplement. Vitamin E benefits include treating and preventing diseases of the heart and blood vessels; such as chest pains, high blood pressure and blocked or hardened arteries.
Vitamin E is found in lipid-rich areas of cells e.g. cell membranes and fat depots. Two groups of compounds have vitamin E activity: tocopherols and tocotrienols; occurring as homologues alpha (α), beta (β), gamma (γ) and delta (δ) that differ in the number and location of methyl substitutes in the chromanol ring. Alphatocopherol is the most active form of vitamin E.
PHYSIOLOGICAL ROLES
Consumption of vitamin E rich foods and vitamin E supplements have the following health benefits:
Antioxidant which fights free radicals and prevents disease development Free radicals (electron-seeking compounds, oxidizing compounds) fight and break down the healthy cells in the body and this can lead to heart disease and cancer. These molecules form naturally in the body and they can cause severe damage when they accelerate oxidation of body tissues and components. The main function of vitamin E is powerful antioxidant; a radical trapping antioxidant in cell membranes and plasma lipoproteins. It is important in limiting radical damage resulting from oxidation of PUFAs, by reacting with the lipid peroxide radicals before they can establish a chain reaction. It protects fats and vitamin A from destruction by oxygen fragments (free radicals). It stabilizes cell membranes and protects cells and tissues (e.g. eyes, skin, lungs, etc) from damage. As an antioxidant, Vitamin E slows down the effects of aging. Studies have shown that vitamin E can significantly increase immunity, therefore helping to prevent both common illness and serious condition from forming.
Balances cholesterol and prevents heart disease Cholesterol is a naturally occurring substance made by liver and required by the body for the proper function of your cells and hormones. When cholesterol levels are in their natural state, they are balanced, normal and healthy. When oxidized, it become dangerous. Studies have shown that vitamin E serves as protective antioxidant that fights cholesterol oxidation. This is because vitamin E can fight free radical damage in the body, which leads to cholesterol oxidation. It prevents heart disease by initiating the dumping of blood cells fragments called platelets. Reduces the risks of heart diseases by protecting low-density lipoprotein (LDL) against oxidation
Repairs damaged skin Vitamin E helps to strengthen the capillary walls in your skin and improved moisture and elasticity, acting as a natural antiaging nutrient within your body. Studies have shown that vitamin E helps to reduce inflammation both within your body. And on your skin, helping to maintain health, youthful skin. These
antioxidant properties are also helpful when you’re exposed to cigarette smoke or ultraviolet rays from sunlight, protecting against skin cancer. Taking vitamin E with vitamin C fights skin inflammation after exposure to UV radiation and can also is useful in decreasing signs and eczema. Vitamin E also helps the healing process in the skin. It is absorbed by the epidermis layer of the skin and can used to treat sunburn, which is one of the leading causes of skin cancer among other factors. Because it speeds up cell regeneration, it can be used to treat scars, acne, and wrinkles; this makes your skin look healthier and younger.
Thickens hair Because vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant, it helps to decrease environmental damage to your hair. It can also promote circulation to the scalp. Vitamin E oil can retain the natural moisture in your skin, which will help your scalp from becoming dry and flakey. This oil will also make your hair look healthier and fresher. You can apply a few drops of vitamin E oil on your hair, especially if it is looking dry and dull.
Balances hormones Vitamin E can help to play a crucial role in balancing your endocrine and nervous system, naturally working to help keep your hormones. Symptoms of a hormonal imbalance may include PMS. Weight gain, allergies, urinary, tract infections, changes in the skin, anxiety, and fatigue. By keeping your hormones in balance, you will find it easier to maintain a healthy weight, you will keep a regular menstrual cycle, and you will find yourself feeling more energetic.
Improves vision Vitamin E may help decrease the risk of age–related macular degeneration, which is a common cause of blindness. In order for vitamin E to be effective for vision, also be consumed with adequate intakes of vitamin C, beta carotene and zinc. It has also been found that taking high doses of vitamin E and vitamin A daily seems to improve healing and vision in people undergoing laser eye surgery.
Helps people with Alzheimer’s disease Vitamin E may slow down the worsening of memory loss and functional decline in people with moderately severe Alzheimer’s disease. It may also delay the loss of independence and the need for a caregiver or assistance. Vitamin E, taken with vitamin C, can also decrease the risk of developing several forms of dementia.
Improves effects of medical treatment Vitamin E is sometimes used to lessen the harmful effects of medical treatments such as radiation and dialysis. This is because it is a powerful antioxidant that fights off free radicals in the body. It is also used to reduce unwanted side effects of drugs that may cause hair loss of lung damage.
Improves physical endurance and muscle strength Vitamin E can be used to improve your physical endurance. It can increase your energy and reduce the level of oxidative stress on your muscles after you excise. Vitamin E can also improve your muscles strength. Vitamin E eliminates fatigue by promoting blood circulation; it can also strengthen your capillary walls and nourish your cells.
METABOLISM
Tocopherols and tocotrienols are absorbed unchanged from the small intestine, in micelles with other dietary lipids, and incorporated into chylomicrons. The major route of excretion is in the bile, largely as glucuronides and other conjugates. Vitamin E is absorbed in the intestine and enters the circulation via lymphatic system. It is absorbed together with lipids packed into chylomicrons and transported to the liver with chylomicrons. This process is similar to all forms of vitamin E tested. Only after passage through the liver does tocopherols prudentially appear in the plasma. Most of beta, gamma and delta tocopherols has specific selection by the hepatic tocopherols transfer protein.
DIETARY SOURCES
Some food in which vitamin E can be found are cereals germ oil, vegetable oils except coconut oil, nuts and seeds, most green leafy vegetables, milk, eggs, muscle meat and fish. Vegetable oils are also richest source of polyunsaturated fatty acids which vitamin E protects e.g. sunflower oil
Vitamin E is a fat–soluble vitamin, which plays a role as an antioxidant in the body. It also helps to prevent free radical damage to specific fats in the body that are critical for your health. Vitamin E is required for the proper functioning of many organs in the body and is extremely useful in naturally slowing the aging process. It is found in many foods including vegetable oils, nuts, poultry, eggs, fruits and wheat germ oil. It is also available as a supplement. Vitamin E benefits include treating and preventing diseases of the heart and blood vessels; such as chest pains, high blood pressure and blocked or hardened arteries.
Vitamin E is found in lipid-rich areas of cells e.g. cell membranes and fat depots. Two groups of compounds have vitamin E activity: tocopherols and tocotrienols; occurring as homologues alpha (α), beta (β), gamma (γ) and delta (δ) that differ in the number and location of methyl substitutes in the chromanol ring. Alphatocopherol is the most active form of vitamin E.
PHYSIOLOGICAL ROLES
Consumption of vitamin E rich foods and vitamin E supplements have the following health benefits:
Antioxidant which fights free radicals and prevents disease development Free radicals (electron-seeking compounds, oxidizing compounds) fight and break down the healthy cells in the body and this can lead to heart disease and cancer. These molecules form naturally in the body and they can cause severe damage when they accelerate oxidation of body tissues and components. The main function of vitamin E is powerful antioxidant; a radical trapping antioxidant in cell membranes and plasma lipoproteins. It is important in limiting radical damage resulting from oxidation of PUFAs, by reacting with the lipid peroxide radicals before they can establish a chain reaction. It protects fats and vitamin A from destruction by oxygen fragments (free radicals). It stabilizes cell membranes and protects cells and tissues (e.g. eyes, skin, lungs, etc) from damage. As an antioxidant, Vitamin E slows down the effects of aging. Studies have shown that vitamin E can significantly increase immunity, therefore helping to prevent both common illness and serious condition from forming.
Balances cholesterol and prevents heart disease Cholesterol is a naturally occurring substance made by liver and required by the body for the proper function of your cells and hormones. When cholesterol levels are in their natural state, they are balanced, normal and healthy. When oxidized, it become dangerous. Studies have shown that vitamin E serves as protective antioxidant that fights cholesterol oxidation. This is because vitamin E can fight free radical damage in the body, which leads to cholesterol oxidation. It prevents heart disease by initiating the dumping of blood cells fragments called platelets. Reduces the risks of heart diseases by protecting low-density lipoprotein (LDL) against oxidation
Repairs damaged skin Vitamin E helps to strengthen the capillary walls in your skin and improved moisture and elasticity, acting as a natural antiaging nutrient within your body. Studies have shown that vitamin E helps to reduce inflammation both within your body. And on your skin, helping to maintain health, youthful skin. These
antioxidant properties are also helpful when you’re exposed to cigarette smoke or ultraviolet rays from sunlight, protecting against skin cancer. Taking vitamin E with vitamin C fights skin inflammation after exposure to UV radiation and can also is useful in decreasing signs and eczema. Vitamin E also helps the healing process in the skin. It is absorbed by the epidermis layer of the skin and can used to treat sunburn, which is one of the leading causes of skin cancer among other factors. Because it speeds up cell regeneration, it can be used to treat scars, acne, and wrinkles; this makes your skin look healthier and younger.
Thickens hair Because vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant, it helps to decrease environmental damage to your hair. It can also promote circulation to the scalp. Vitamin E oil can retain the natural moisture in your skin, which will help your scalp from becoming dry and flakey. This oil will also make your hair look healthier and fresher. You can apply a few drops of vitamin E oil on your hair, especially if it is looking dry and dull.
Balances hormones Vitamin E can help to play a crucial role in balancing your endocrine and nervous system, naturally working to help keep your hormones. Symptoms of a hormonal imbalance may include PMS. Weight gain, allergies, urinary, tract infections, changes in the skin, anxiety, and fatigue. By keeping your hormones in balance, you will find it easier to maintain a healthy weight, you will keep a regular menstrual cycle, and you will find yourself feeling more energetic.
Improves vision Vitamin E may help decrease the risk of age–related macular degeneration, which is a common cause of blindness. In order for vitamin E to be effective for vision, also be consumed with adequate intakes of vitamin C, beta carotene and zinc. It has also been found that taking high doses of vitamin E and vitamin A daily seems to improve healing and vision in people undergoing laser eye surgery.
Helps people with Alzheimer’s disease Vitamin E may slow down the worsening of memory loss and functional decline in people with moderately severe Alzheimer’s disease. It may also delay the loss of independence and the need for a caregiver or assistance. Vitamin E, taken with vitamin C, can also decrease the risk of developing several forms of dementia.
Improves effects of medical treatment Vitamin E is sometimes used to lessen the harmful effects of medical treatments such as radiation and dialysis. This is because it is a powerful antioxidant that fights off free radicals in the body. It is also used to reduce unwanted side effects of drugs that may cause hair loss of lung damage.
Improves physical endurance and muscle strength Vitamin E can be used to improve your physical endurance. It can increase your energy and reduce the level of oxidative stress on your muscles after you excise. Vitamin E can also improve your muscles strength. Vitamin E eliminates fatigue by promoting blood circulation; it can also strengthen your capillary walls and nourish your cells.
METABOLISM
Tocopherols and tocotrienols are absorbed unchanged from the small intestine, in micelles with other dietary lipids, and incorporated into chylomicrons. The major route of excretion is in the bile, largely as glucuronides and other conjugates. Vitamin E is absorbed in the intestine and enters the circulation via lymphatic system. It is absorbed together with lipids packed into chylomicrons and transported to the liver with chylomicrons. This process is similar to all forms of vitamin E tested. Only after passage through the liver does tocopherols prudentially appear in the plasma. Most of beta, gamma and delta tocopherols has specific selection by the hepatic tocopherols transfer protein.
DIETARY SOURCES
Some food in which vitamin E can be found are cereals germ oil, vegetable oils except coconut oil, nuts and seeds, most green leafy vegetables, milk, eggs, muscle meat and fish. Vegetable oils are also richest source of polyunsaturated fatty acids which vitamin E protects e.g. sunflower oil
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