What vitamin E is good for

Dietitian Juliette Kellow explains what vitamin E is good for and where you can find this cell-protecting antioxidant in everyday foods.

Vitamin E is an antioxidant that helps to protect our cells from damage caused by harmful molecules called free radicals. In particular, vitamin E keeps our skin and eyes healthy and strengthens our immune system.

What happens if I don’t get enough vitamin E?

In many Western countries, deficiencies of vitamin E are uncommon, Except in people on a very low-fat diet or who have a health condition that affects vitamin E absorption.

What happens if I have too much vitamin E?

Most people are able to tolerate high levels of vitamin E without experiencing any side effects. But, to be on the safe side, when it comes to taking supplements, the Department of Health recommends no more than 540mg a day.

How much vitamin E do I need each day?

Vitamin E recommendations vary from country to country.  The UK recommends 3mg-4mg a day for women and men respectively.  The US has a Recommended Daily Allowance of  15mg vitamin E.  New Zealand and Australia have a Recommended Daily Intake of 7mg for women and 10mg for men.

These variations are because our needs for this nutrient are largely based on the amount of polyunsaturated fats we have in our diets – as a rule, higher intakes of polyunsaturates mean we need more vitamin E.

Foods high in vitamin E

Will taking vitamin E supplements make my skin glow?

Vitamin E is important for healthy skin, but there’s no evidence that taking a large amount in supplement form will help to reduce wrinkles or give you a better complexion. Similarly, while vitamin E is a common ingredient in face creams and anti-ageing potions, there’s little evidence to suggest applying it to the skin is truly beneficial – any improvement may simply be due to the moisturising effect of the lotion. There’s also no medical evidence to suggest that applying creams containing vitamin E to scars or stretch marks will improve their appearance.

What about taking vitamin E supplements?

High doses of vitamin E have been implicated in promoting health and protecting against many diseases, including heart disease, Alzheimer’s, age-related macular degeneration and certain cancers. But so far research has provided mixed and inconclusive results – more studies need to be carried out before taking supplements is recommended. Instead, the focus should be on eating plenty of foods that are naturally rich in vitamin E.

Where do I find vitamin E?

It’s found in a wide range of foods, but the best sources are vegetable oils, such as corn and sunflower oil. Vitamin E is also present in nuts, seeds, avocado and green vegetables. Because it’s a fat-soluble vitamin, vitamin E is stored in the body, so we don’t need to have it in large amounts on a daily basis.