Vitamin E for Whole-Body Health

What is vitamin E?

Vitamin E is a group of eight fat-soluble nutrients. It's found in many foods, such as nuts, seeds, green vegetables like spinach and broccoli, fortified breakfast cereals, and vegetable oils.

What does vitamin E do?

Vitamin E doesn't get the recognition that other vitamins get, but that doesn't make its role in our health any less significant. This antioxidant helps protect cells from free radicals. It also supports a healthy immune system, cognitive function, eye health and skin.

What are the different types of vitamin E?

Vitamin E is broken into two groups: tocopherols and tocotrienols, both of which offer antioxidant benefits. Tocopherols are the most common form of vitamin E, and the alpha and gamma forms seem to work best in combination rather than on their own. There's a growing interest in how tocotrienols—which aren't as easy to come by through diet alone—may provide a more complete approach to achieving optimal health.

How much vitamin E should I take?

While vitamin E is widely accessible in foods, some people may not get enough. Vitamin E supplements offer a convenient way to support your nutritional needs. For best results, choose a formula that contains both tocopherols and tocotrienols.

If you're not sure what dosage to take, speak with your doctor, who can evaluate what other supplements you're taking, how much vitamin E you get from your diet, and your specific health goals, before making a recommendation.