Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vi-ta-min with several forms, but alpha-tocopherol is the only one used by the human body. Its main role is khổng lồ act as an antioxidant, scavenging loose electrons—so-called “free radicals”—that can damage cells. <1> It also enhances immune function và prevents clots from forming in heart arteries. Antioxidant vitamins, including vitamin E, came to lớn public attention in the 1980s when scientists began lớn understand that không lấy phí radical damage was involved in the early stages of artery-clogging atherosclerosis, và might also contribute to lớn cancer, vision loss, và a host of other chronic conditions. Vitamin E has the ability khổng lồ protect cells from free radical damage as well as reduce the production of không tính tiền radicals in certain situations. However, conflicting study results have dimmed some of the promise of using high dose vitamin E lớn prevent chronic diseases.
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Recommended Amounts
The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for vi-ta-min E for males & females ages 14 years and older is 15 mg daily (or 22 international units, IU), including women who are pregnant. Lactating women need slightly more at 19 mg (28 IU) daily.
Vitamin E & Health
Heart disease
For a time, vitamin E supplements looked lượt thích an easy way lớn prevent cardiovascular disease. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force’s latest reviews of evidence from clinical trials found no conclusive benefit of vi-ta-min E supplements for the prevention of cardiovascular disease, & therefore recommended against their use. <2> Although some large observational studies và clinical trials have shown a heart-protective benefit from these supplements, particularly in relatively healthy people, most randomized clinical trials have shown no benefit in either healthy people or those at risk for, or with, heart disease.
Benefit Found
Observational studies: The Nurses’ Health Study <3> và Health Professionals Follow-Up Study <4> suggested 20-40% reductions in heart disease risk among individuals who took vi-ta-min E supplements (usually containing 400 IU or more) for at least two years. <5>Randomized controlled trials: In the Women’s Health Study, which followed almost 40,000 healthy women for 10 years, vi-ta-min E supplements of 600 IU taken every other day did not significantly reduce the risk of so-called “major cardiac events” (heart attack, stroke, or cardiovascular death). But there was some encouraging news in the findings: When these major cardiac events were analyzed separately, vi-ta-min E supplementation was linked to a 24% lower risk of cardiovascular death. <6> & among women ages 65 and older, vi-ta-min E supplementation reduced the risk of major cardiac events by 26%. A later analysis found that women who took the vi-ta-min E supplements also had a lower risk of developing serious blood clots in the legs and lungs, with women at the highest risk of such blood clots receiving the greatest benefit. <7>No Benefit Found
Randomized controlled trials in people who were at high risk for or who had heart disease at baseline. In the GISSI Prevention Trial, the results were mixed but mostly showed no preventive effects after more than three years of treatment with vitamin E among 11,000 heart attack survivors. <8> Results from the Heart Outcomes Prevention Evaluation (HOPE) trial also showed no benefit of four years’ worth of vi-ta-min E supplementation in more than 9,500 men and women already diagnosed with heart disease or at high risk for it. <9> In fact, when the HOPE trial was extended for another four years, researchers found that study volunteers who took vitamin E had a higher risk of heart failure. <10>Based on such studies, the American Heart Association concluded that “the scientific data bởi not justify the use of antioxidant vitamin supplements (such as vitamin E) for CVD risk reduction.” <11> It is possible that in people who already have heart disease or are at high risk of heart disease, the use of drugs such as aspirin, beta blockers, & ACE inhibitors mask a modest effect of vi-ta-min E, và that vi-ta-min E may have benefits among healthier people.
Randomized controlled trials in people without heart disease at baseline. The SU.VI.MAX randomized controlled trial found that seven years of low-dose vi-ta-min E supplementation (as part of a daily antioxidant pill) reduced the risk of cancer và the risk of dying from any cause in men, but did not show these beneficial effects in women; the supplements did not offer any protection against heart disease in men or women. <12> Discouraging results have also come from the Physicians’ Health Study II, an eight-year randomized controlled trial that involved nearly 15,000 middle-aged men, most of whom were miễn phí of heart disease at the start of the study. Researchers found that taking vi-ta-min E supplements of 400 IU every other day, alone or with vitamin C, failed lớn offer any protection against heart attacks, strokes, or cardiovascular deaths. <13>More recent evidence introduces a theory that vi-ta-min E supplements may have potential benefits only in certain subgroups of the general population. A trial of high-dose vitamin E in Israel, for example, showed a marked reduction in heart disease among people with type 2 diabetes who had a common genetic predisposition for greater oxidative stress. <14>
Cancer
Taken as a whole, observational studies have not found that vitamin E in food or supplements offers much protection against cancer in general, or against specific cancers. <15–24> The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force’s latest đánh giá of the evidence from clinical trials on the efficacy of vi-ta-min E for cancer also showed no benefit of these supplements on a decreased incidence of or deaths from any cancer. <2> Observational studies và clinical trials have been inconsistent, some suggesting that vitamin E supplements might lower the risk of advanced prostate cancer in smokers và a large randomized trial suggesting that vi-ta-min E increases the risk of prostate cancer. <17,25–27>
Prostate cancer
Investigators had hoped that the Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT) would give more definitive answers on vitamin E và prostate cancer. SELECT’s 18,000 men were assigned khổng lồ follow one of four pill regimens—vitamin E plus selenium, vi-ta-min E plus a selenium placebo, selenium plus a vitamin E placebo, or a double placebo—and khổng lồ be tracked for 7 lớn 12 years. But investigators halted the study halfway through in 2008 when early analyses showed that vi-ta-min E offered no cancer or prostate cancer prevention benefit. <28> Though the trial ended, researchers continued lớn follow the men who had participated. In 2011, they reported a 17% higher risk of prostate cancer among men assigned to take vitamin E; there was no significant increased risk of prostate cancer among men who took vi-ta-min E & selenium. <29>
Though these results may sound worrisome, two other major trials of vi-ta-min E and prostate cancer had quite different results: The Alpha-Tocopherol Beta Carotene randomized trial, for example, followed nearly 30,000 Finnish male smokers for an average of six years. <25> It found that men assigned to lớn take daily vitamin E supplements had a 32% lower risk of developing prostate cancer—and a 41% lower risk of dying from prostate cancer—than men given a placebo. Vi-ta-min E’s protective effect was strongest for men whose cancers were far enough along that they could be detected by a clinical exam. The large và long-term Physicians’ Health Study II trial, meanwhile, found that vitamin E supplements did not increase or decrease the risk of prostate cancer or any other cancer. <30>
Why were the SELECT findings on vi-ta-min E & prostate cancer so different from those of earlier studies? Previous studies of vi-ta-min E supplements và prostate cancer found the greatest benefit in men who were smokers & who had more advanced cancers. <17,25–27> In the SELECT trial, however, fewer than 10% of the men were smokers & most had early-stage cancer detected through prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood tests. <28,29> Many early-stage, low-grade prostate cancers identified by PSA demo would not become advanced cancers. There is also evidence that different processes may be at work in early versus late-stage prostate cancers. A large trial of a drug to prevent prostate cancer found opposite effects when used in early versus advanced prostate cancers. <31>
Bear in mind that most prostate cancer develops slowly, và any study looking at prostate cancer prevention needs khổng lồ track men for a long time. By stopping the SELECT trial early, there is no way to lớn tell if vi-ta-min E could have helped protect against prostate cancer in some men if they had continued the trial over a longer period of time. Very few cases in the SELECT trial were of advanced prostate cancer, further limiting the interpretation of the findings.
Age-related vision diseases
A six-year trial found that vi-ta-min E, in combination with vitamin C, beta carotene, & zinc, offered some protection against the development of advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD), but not cataracts, in people who were at high risk of the disease. <32,33> On its own, however, vitamin E does not seem lớn offer much benefit against either AMD or cataracts. <34,35>
Cognitive function & neurodegenerative diseases
Scientists seeking lớn untangle the causes of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, & other diseases of the brain and nervous system have focused on the role that không lấy phí radical damage plays in these diseases’ development. <36> But khổng lồ date, there is little evidence as khổng lồ whether vi-ta-min E can help protect against these diseases or that it offers any benefit lớn people who already have these diseases.
Dementia: Some prospective studies suggest that vitamin E supplements, particularly in combination with vi-ta-min C, may be associated with small improvements in cognitive function or lowered risk of Alzheimer’s disease & other forms of dementia, while other studies have failed khổng lồ find any such benefit. <37–41> A three-year randomized controlled trial in people with mild cognitive impairment—often a precursor khổng lồ Alzheimer’s disease—found that taking 2,000 IU of vi-ta-min E daily failed khổng lồ slow the progression to Alzheimer’s disease. <42> Keep in mind, however, that the progression from mild cognitive impairment lớn Alzheimer’s disease can take many years, và this study was fairly short, so it is probably not the last word on vi-ta-min E and dementia.Parkinson’s Disease: Some, but not all, prospective studies suggest that getting higher intakes of vitamin E from diet—not from high-dose supplements—is associated with a reduced risk of Parkinson’s disease. <43–45> In people who already have Parkinson’s, high-dose vi-ta-min E supplements vị not slow the disease’s progression. <46> Why the difference between vitamin E from foods versus that from supplements? It is possible that foods rich in vitamin E, such as nuts or legumes, contain other nutrients that protect against Parkinson’s disease. More research is needed.Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS): One large prospective study that followed nearly 1 million people for up to 16 years found that people who regularly took vitamin E supplements had a lower risk of dying from ALS than people who never took vitamin E supplements. <47> More recently, a combined analysis of multiple studies with more than 1 million participants found that the longer people used vitamin E supplements, the lower their risk of ALS. <48> Clinical trials of vitamin E supplements in people who already have ALS have generally failed khổng lồ show any benefit, however. <49> This may be a situation where vitamin E is beneficial for prevention, rather than treatment, but more research is needed.Food Sources
Vitamin E is found in plant-based oils, nuts, seeds, fruits, và vegetables.
Wheat germ oilSunflower, safflower, và soybean oil
Sunflower seeds
Peanuts, peanut butter
Beet greens, collard greens, spinach
Red bell pepper
Asparagus
Mangoes
Signs of Deficiency
Because vitamin E is found in a variety of foods & supplements, a deficiency in the U.S. Is rare. People who have digestive disorders or vị not absorb fat properly (e.g., pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis, celiac disease) can develop a vitamin E deficiency. The following are common signs of a deficiency:
Retinopathy (damage khổng lồ the retina of the eyes that can impair vision)Peripheral neuropathy (damage to the peripheral nerves, usually in the hands or feet, causing weakness or pain)Ataxia (loss of control of body movements)Decreased immune functionToxicity
There is no evidence of toxic effects from vi-ta-min E found naturally in foods. Most adults who obtain more than the RDA of 22 IU daily are using multivitamins or separate vitamin E supplements that contain anywhere from 400-1000 IU daily. There have not been reports of harmful side effects of supplement use in healthy people. However, there is a risk of excess bleeding, particularly with doses greater than 1000 mg daily or if an individual is also using a blood thinning medication such as warfarin. For this reason, an upper limit for vitamin E has been phối for adults 19 years & older of 1000 mg daily (1465 IU) of any khung of tocopherol supplement. <1>
Did You Know?
Due to occasional reports of negative health effects of vi-ta-min E supplements, scientists have debated whether these supplements could be harmful & even increase the risk of death.
Researchers have tried to lớn answer this question by combining the results of multiple studies. In one such analysis, the authors gathered & re-analyzed data from 19 clinical trials of vi-ta-min E, including the GISSI & HOPE studies <50>; they found a higher rate of death in trials where patients took more than 400 IU of supplements a day. While this meta-analysis drew headlines when it was released, there are limitations lớn the conclusions that can be drawn from it. Some of the findings were based on very small studies. In some of these trials, vitamin E was combined with high doses of beta-carotene, which itself has been related to excess mortality. Furthermore, many of the high-dose vi-ta-min E trials included in the analysis included people who had advanced heart disease or Alzheimer’s disease. Other meta-analyses have come to lớn different conclusions. So it is not clear that these findings would apply khổng lồ healthy people. The Physicians’ Health Study II, for example, did not find any difference in death rates between the study participants who took vitamin E and those who took a placebo. <13>
Related
Vitamins & Minerals
References
U.S Preventive Services Task Force, Mangione CM, Barry MJ, Nicholson WK, Cabana M, Chelmow D, Coker TR, Davis EM, Donahue KE, Doubeni CA, Jaén CR, Kubik M, Li L, Ogedegbe G, Pbert L, Ruiz JM, Stevermer J, Wong JB. Vitamin, Mineral, và Multivitamin Supplementation khổng lồ Prevent Cardiovascular Disease & Cancer: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement. JAMA. 2022 Jun 21;327(23):2326-2333.Age Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2). National Eye Institute, 2007. Accessed 8 November 2007,
Last reviewed March 2023
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Healthy Oils
Use healthy oils (like olive và canola oil) for cooking, on salad, and at the table. Limit butter. Avoid trans fat.
HEALTHYOILSWater
Drink water, tea, or coffee (with little or no sugar). Limit milk/dairy (1-2 servings/day) and juice (1 small glass/day). Avoid sugary drinks.
WATERVegetables
The more veggies — & the greater the variety — the better. Potatoes & French fries don’t count.
VEGETABLESFruits
Eat plenty of fruits of all colors
FRUITSHealthy Protein
Choose fish, poultry, beans, & nuts; limit red meat và cheese; avoid bacon, cold cuts, và other processed meats.
HEALTHYPROTEINWhole Grains
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Vitamin E is an essential nutrient & fat-soluble vitamin your body toàn thân needs to stay healthy.†It’s primarily known for key health benefits including its powerful antioxidant properties và its support of a healthy immune system.†Most adults need a daily intake of 15 mg of vi-ta-min E every day, which are available from food sources & from vitamin E supplementation.Foods highest in vitamin E include plant-based foods such as nuts, seeds, vegetables, vegetable oils, và other plant-based oils.
As an essential nutrient, vitamin E ranks right up there with the best of them—Vitamin A, all the B Vitamins, vi-ta-min C, vi-ta-min D và Vitamin K—all needed khổng lồ maintain good health. This fat soluble vi-ta-min comes in multiple forms, but the toàn thân primarily uses the vi-ta-min E khung called alpha-tocopherol.
Essential for many cells (including heart muscle cells), vi-ta-min E delivers powerful antioxidant properties and helps tư vấn a healthy immune system. That’s why you need lớn ensure your day includes plenty of vi-ta-min E foods in your diet, and if not, consider taking a vi-ta-min E supplement.† But what are foods highest in vitamin E?
Read on lớn learn more about the health benefits of this key vitamin as well as what foods are high in vitamin E.
Benefits Of vitamin E
In order for your toàn thân to function properly, your body requires adequate vitamin E levels.
A diet high in vi-ta-min E yields key health benefits, including the following. <2,3,4>
Supports a healthy immune system
Vitamin E supports the body"s natural immune defenses. This is especially important for older adults (ages 65+), as vi-ta-min E also supports a healthy immune system as the body ages.†
Delivers powerful antioxidant properties
As an antioxidant, vi-ta-min E neutralizes không tính phí radicals in the body toàn thân and helps guard against oxidative stress. <1> Over time, damage khổng lồ cells from không tính phí radicals can lead khổng lồ more serious, chronic health issues.†
Plays a vital role many cells
The body toàn thân requires this essential nutrient for the healthy functioning of many cells, including heart muscle cells.†
Recommended Intake for vitamin E
How much vitamin E bởi vì you need every day? Dosages vary depending on age, và experts suggesting the following recommended dietary allowance (RDA).<2>
Age | RDA in milligrams (mg) |
Infants (0-6 months) | 4 |
Infants (7-12 months) | 5 |
Children (1-3 years) | 6 |
Children (4-8 years) | 7 |
Children (9-13 years) | 11 |
Teenagers (14-18 years) | 15 |
Adults (19 years và older) | 15 |
Pregnant women và teens | 15 |
Breastfeeding women và teens | 19 |
The best way to lớn obtain vitamins và minerals is through food sources, so make sure you eat a wide variety of nutrient-dense foods for a balanced diet. Besides boosting your vi-ta-min E intake with food, you can also get more vitamin E with dietary supplements such as vitamin E capsules or softgels. Vi-ta-min E deficiency is rare because this nutrient is widely available in many foods, however, approximately 84% of the U.S. Population has inadequate daily intake of vitamin E in their diet. <5>
Foods High In vitamin E
The foods highest in vi-ta-min E include plant-based foods such as nuts, seeds, vegetables, vegetable oils and other plant-based oils. <1> The following are vitamin E rich foods* that you should consider adding to lớn your diet. <6>
Per Serving Of… | * This is based on the daily value of 15 mg/day of vitamin E for adults. |
Wheat Germ Oil | 1 tablespoon: 20.3 mg (135% DV) |
Peanut Butter (smooth, fortified foods) | 1 cup: 111 mg (740% DV) 100 grams: 43.2 mg (288% DV) 1 tablespoon: 6.9 mg (15% DV) |
Hazelnut Oil | 1 tablespoon: 6.4 mg (43% DV) |
Sunflower Oil (high oleic) | 1 tablespoon: 5.7 mg (38% DV) |
Almond Oil | 1 tablespoon: 5.3 mg (35% DV) |
Safflower Oil (linoleic) | 1 tablespoon: 4.6 mg (31% DV) |
Grapeseed Oil | 1 tablespoon: 3.9 mg (26% DV) |
Almond Butter (unsalted) | 1 tablespoon: 3.8 mg (25% DV) |
Sunflower Seeds (dried, kernels) | 1 cup: 49.2 mg (328% DV) 100 grams: 35.2 mg (235% DV) |
Almonds | 1 cup: 36.6 mg (244% DV) 100 grams: 25.6 mg (171% DV) |
Canola Oil | 1 tablespoon: 2.4 mg (16% DV) |
Peanut Oil | 1 tablespoon: 1.9 mg (13% DV) |
Olive Oil | 1 tablespoon: 2.1 mg (14% DV) |
Hazelnuts | 1 cup: 20.2 mg (135% DV) 100 grams: 15 mg (100% DV)
|
While the above foods are highest in vi-ta-min E, there are lots of other foods with vi-ta-min E as well, including some seafood (Atlantic herring, Atlantic salmon, xanh crab, canned sardines, rainbow trout, canned white tuna) & a variety of fruits & vegetables (avocado, broccoli, canned tomato products, butternut squash, kiwifruit, mango, mustard greens, sweet potatoes, sweet red pepper, Swiss chard, turnip greens).
The best way to determine which nutrients (and what percentage of the daily value they deliver) is khổng lồ read the nutrition facts on the package’s food label.
Bottom LineAs an essential nutrient and fat-soluble vitamin your body needs to stay healthy, vitamin E is known for delivering powerful antioxidant properties và supporting a healthy immune system.
Most adults need a daily intake of 15 mg of vitamin E, which is available from food sources và from vitamin E supplements. What foods are high in vi-ta-min E? Plant-based options such as nuts, seeds, vegetables, & plant-based oils are all foods containing the most vi-ta-min E—great news for those who follow a vegan lifestyle. But additional food sources of vitamin E include some seafood (Atlantic salmon, xanh crab, rainbow trout) & plenty of fruits and vegetables (avocado, broccoli, butternut squash, mango, mustard greens, sweet potatoes, sweet red pepper, turnip greens).†
Continue to kiểm tra back on the Nature Made blog for the latest science-backed articles lớn help you take ownership of your health.
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† These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.