VITAMIN E

It plays many roles in your body. It is perhaps best known for its antioxidant effects, which protect your cells from oxidative damage by neutralizing harmful molecules called free radicals. In addition, it is necessary for the proper functioning of the immune system and cell signaling (Office of Dietary Supplements – Vitamin E, nd)
That’s why it’s no surprise that research suggests that taking vitamin E supplements can benefit your health in several ways.
• May reduce markers of oxidative stress and improve antioxidant defenses
Oxidative stress is a condition that occurs when there is an imbalance between your body’s antioxidant defenses and the production and accumulation of compounds called reactive oxygen species (ROS).
This can lead to cell damage and an increased risk of disease (Pizzino et al., 2017)
As vitamin E acts as a powerful antioxidant in the body, studies have shown that supplementation in high doses can reduce markers of oxidative stress and boost antioxidant defenses in certain populations (Aghadavod et al., 2018)
For example, a 2018 study in 54 people with diabetic nephropathy — kidney damage caused by high blood sugar — found that supplementing with 800 IU of vitamin E daily for 12 weeks significantly increased glutathione peroxidase levels. (GPx) versus placebo (Aghadavod et al., 2018)
GPx is a group of antioxidant enzymes that protect your cells from oxidative damage.
A 2021 study also showed that taking a combination of vitamin E and vitamin C daily for 8 weeks reduced markers of oxidative stress, such as ROS and malondialdehyde in women with endometriosis (Amini et al ., 2021)
• May reduce risk factors for heart disease
High blood pressure and high levels of blood lipids such as LDL (bad cholesterol) and triglycerides can increase the risk of developing heart disease.
Promisingly, research suggests that vitamin E supplements may help reduce risk factors for heart disease such as these in some people.
A 2019 analysis of 18 studies found that, compared to placebo treatments, vitamin E supplements significantly reduced systolic blood pressure, but not diastolic blood pressure – the upper and lower numbers of blood pressure measurements , respectively (Emami et al., 2019)

Some studies also show that taking vitamin E with omega-3 supplements can lower LDL and triglyceride levels in people with metabolic syndrome — a collection of conditions including high levels of fat in the blood. , which increase the risk of heart disease and other health problems (Asbaghi et al., 2019)
• May be beneficial for people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
(NAFLD)
NAFLD includes a number of conditions that cause fatty buildup in the liver in people who drink little or no alcohol.
According to research findings, vitamin E supplements may improve some aspects of the health of people with NAFLD.
A 2021 analysis of eight studies found that vitamin E supplementation reduced levels of the liver enzymes alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lowered blood lipid levels and improved liver health in people with NAFLD (Vadarlis et al., 2021)
High levels of AST and ALT can indicate inflammation and liver damage in people with NAFLD, so lower levels are favorable.
• May help manage dysmenorrhea
Dysmenorrhea is a condition characterized by severe and frequent menstrual pain, such as cramping and pelvic pain.
Promisingly, research suggests that vitamin E supplements can reduce pain in women with this condition.
In a 2018 study of 100 women with dysmenorrhea, taking 200 IU of vitamin E daily relieved menstrual pain more than a placebo. The effects were even better when the vitamin was combined with an omega-3 supplement containing 180 mg of EPA and 120 mg of DHA (Sadeghi et al., 2018)
Additionally, a 2021 study showed that taking a combination of vitamin E and vitamin C daily for 8 weeks helped reduce the severity of pelvic pain and dysmenorrhea in women with endometriosis (Amini and al., 2021)
• Other potential health benefits
Vitamin E supplements have also been linked to several other health benefits:
May benefit skin health. Vitamin E supplements may be helpful for people with certain skin conditions, such as eczema. However, research is currently limited and further studies are needed to learn more about this potential benefit (Teo et al., 2021)
May benefit cognitive health. Maintaining optimal vitamin E levels and taking supplements may help protect against cognitive decline. But it is still unclear whether the supplements are beneficial for people with cognitive disorders like Alzheimer’s disease (Browne et al., 2019; Lakhan et al., 2021)).
May be beneficial for the elderly. Because vitamin E plays an important role in health, including reducing inflammation and improving immune function, supplements may benefit people who have an increased requirement or do not get enough of it in their diet, such as some older people (Meydani et al., 2018)

May improve lung function. Studies have shown that vitamin E supplements may improve lung function and some asthma symptoms in children and adults (Burbank et al., 2018; Ghaffari et al., 2014; Hanson et al., 2016)