Possible Risks Associated with Taking Vitamin E Supplements
Vitamin E (as d-alpha tocopherol plus mixed tocopherols: d-beta, d-delta and d-gamma tocopherol) 268 mg. Other ingredients: Gelatin, soybean oil, vegetable oil, glycerin, purified water. Suggested Use: As a dietary supplement, take one softgel per day with water. By our team of internal scientific & wellness experts. Solgar Vitamin E 268 mg (400 IU), 250 Mixed Softgels - Natural Antioxidant, Skin & Immune System Support - Naturally-Sourced Vitamin E - Gluten Free, Dairy Free - 250 Servings 4.8 out of 5 stars 1,489.
March 18, 2011
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Are there any risks to taking vitamin E daily?
Answer:
Research has shown possible risks to taking vitamin E. Because of those risks, and because vitamin E supplements have not been shown to offer significant health benefits, I do not recommend taking vitamin E supplements for disease prevention.
Vitamin E is found in vegetable, nut and seed oils. Foods that contain vitamin E include canola oil, olive oil, margarine, almonds and peanuts. A main function of vitamin E in the body is as an antioxidant.
Antioxidants neutralize unstable molecules called free radicals. Free radicals may contribute to aging and chronic diseases by damaging (oxidizing) other molecules. Regarding cholesterol and heart disease, studies have shown that when low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is oxidized by free radicals, it is more likely to contribute to the buildup of fatty deposits (plaques) in the arteries, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke.
Because it's an antioxidant, researchers wanted to find out if taking a vitamin E supplement could improve heart health. In the early 1990s, laboratory research showed that, in test tubes, vitamin E prevented the oxidation of LDL cholesterol. Vitamin E also showed benefits on heart health in animals. When researchers conducted population studies in humans, they found that people who took the most vitamin E had the lowest risk of heart disease.
These findings created excitement about possible benefits of taking vitamin E. However, when researchers began conducting carefully controlled clinical trials that compared people who took vitamin E supplements with those who didn't, the findings were different. In 2001, Mayo Clinic researchers published a review article that indicated there were three large clinical trials up to that time involving more than 25,000 patients — and vitamin E didn't show much benefit.
Then, in 2005, results from two important research studies were published. The first was a long-term study of people taking vitamin E supplements. It found that not only was there little or no benefit from taking vitamin E, it also revealed that people who took vitamin E supplements had an increased risk of heart failure. The second study was a review of findings from 67 clinical trials involving vitamin E and other antioxidant supplements. (This type of research, that reviews previous studies and evaluates their results together, is called a meta-analysis.) It found an increased risk of death in people who took vitamin E. Since 2005, there has been no new evidence to contradict these findings.
Why vitamin E doesn't provide health benefits in supplement form isn't clear. It may be because vitamin E isn't just one substance. There are two sets of vitamin E compounds, and a variety of subsets within those. Most supplements are made of only one type of vitamin E. It might be that, isolated from the other vitamin E compounds, one type of vitamin E doesn't work the same way in the body as it does when combined with the others, as it is in foods.
The amount of vitamin E in supplements also may be a factor. In the United States, the median daily intake of vitamin E from food is about 5 to 10 milligrams (mg). Vitamin E supplements generally contain 268 or 537 mg (400 or 800 international units). Taking vitamin E in quantities that much higher than normal may have an adverse effect on the body. Multivitamins contain vitamin E in amounts much closer to the Recommended Dietary Allowance of 15 mg/day for adults, so they aren't a problem.
The bottom line is that even though initial laboratory studies, animal studies and population research into the health benefits of vitamin E looked promising, the clinical trial findings — which provide the best form of evidence — didn't bear that out. Instead, they uncovered health risks that make it unwise to take separate vitamin E supplements.
— Donald Hensrud, M.D., Endocrinology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.
Vitamin E Overdose
How Much is Too Much?
Are there Vitamin E Side Effects?
Recently, many people have questioned whether or not taking high doses of vitamin E is dangerous. This is due to a 2004 much-publicized meta-analysis from Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, which concluded that high doses of vitamin E (more than 400 IU a day) taken long term may slightly increase the overall risk of dying.
Needless to say, the findings of this study was released November 10, 2004 on line in the Annals of Internal Medicine and appeared on the front page of USA Today and numerous other national media.
Indeed, such news about the almighty nutrient had the public at large questioning its safety. For years vitamin E has been a star among nutrients that many Americans took to protect their health.
What About Vitamin E Overdose Side Effects?
It is possible to consume too much vitamin E (very high doses) and experience side effects. Some side effects of a vitamin E overdose (high doses) include diarrhea, flatulence, bloating, weakness, headache, fatigue, and blurred vision.
Other possible side effects may also occur because our bodies are all unique. We recommend that you speak with your physician about any side effects that seem unusual.
How Much is Too Much?
Vitamin E Overdose
First, the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for vitamin E is quite low, 15 mg to 20 International Units (IU) per day.
Vitamin E 268 Mg Daily Requirement
Many experts claim that vitamin E appears to be safe when consumed in amounts up to 1,000 IU. While the most commonly prescribed dosage of supplemental vitamin E for adults is approximately 300 to 800 IU per day, many researchers believe that 100 to 200 IU per day is sufficient and that any dosage in excess of this amount provides little additional value.
Personally, we avoid taking high doses of any nutrient for optimal health, even vitamin E. There are simply too many factors to consider. For example, taking very high doses of vitamin E, meaning more than 2,000 IU a day can interfere with the body's absorption of vitamin A.
In short, we only take 100 IU's a day in addition to what we get from food because we only use the natural form of vitamin E, which is considered to have a greater effect than the synthetic form. In addition, we take a vitamin E product that uses a broad spectrum Tocotrienol, which are members of the vitamin E family that significantly improves the potency of vitamin E.
Other factors to consider:
Vitamin E is a fat soluble vitamin and, as such, it's important not to ingest high levels of it on a regular basis. Ssh tunnel 15 03 download free.
Taking 100 IU's a day in addition to what we get from food removes the risk of overdosing when using multiple products also containing small amounts of vitamin E.
Personally, we avoid taking high doses of any nutrient for optimal health, even vitamin E. There are simply too many factors to consider. For example, taking very high doses of vitamin E, meaning more than 2,000 IU a day can interfere with the body's absorption of vitamin A.
In short, we only take 100 IU's a day in addition to what we get from food because we only use the natural form of vitamin E, which is considered to have a greater effect than the synthetic form. In addition, we take a vitamin E product that uses a broad spectrum Tocotrienol, which are members of the vitamin E family that significantly improves the potency of vitamin E.
Other factors to consider:
Vitamin E is a fat soluble vitamin and, as such, it's important not to ingest high levels of it on a regular basis. Ssh tunnel 15 03 download free.
Taking 100 IU's a day in addition to what we get from food removes the risk of overdosing when using multiple products also containing small amounts of vitamin E.
Lastly, according to the well-renowned tome titled Earl Mindell's New Vitamin Bible written by Earl Mindell, R.PH., PH.D., with Hester Mundis who states:
'Taking large doses of alpha-tocopherol depletes plasma levels of gamma-tocopherol, which has the ability to protect against nitrogen-based free radicals. (Nitrogen free radicals are involved in diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and heart disease.'
In our opinion, it appears that it is healthier to take more than one natural form of vitamin E.
Indeed, there are times that isolated vitamins are used for therapeutic reasons. However, this should be done only in consultation with your physician to avoid possible vitamin E overdose and other potential dangers.
For more information on the health benefits of vitamin E and tips on how to select quality supplements, click here. Facts About Vitamin E.
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We hope this webpage discussing vitamin E overdose was useful to you.
To Your Health!
The Editors
Vitamin E 268 Mg Daily Dosage
Much more than Vitamin E Overdose can be found at our Vitamin Information Center
