Vitamin E is good for the skin. The truth is that vitamin E is purported to have a myriad of health benefits.
However, there is little to no scientific data to support most of the claims made about vitamin E.
This doesn’t necessarily mean that there are no other benefits to taking vitamin E.
But, since there are risks associated with taking vitamin E, there is no point in consuming vitamin E supplements just because they might provide a health benefit.
Vitamin E is an essential nutrient, which means it can only be produced in the body if it is ingested through food or vitamin supplements.
Vitamin E is found in green leafy vegetables, vegetable oil, liver, wheat germ and more.
You will find that vitamin E is present in many beauty products on the market. That is because vitamin E has proven to be effective for reducing scarring and age spots on the skin. It also improves the texture of the skin.
keep in mind that supplementation of any kind is not enough for your overall health and fitness needs. Exercise is important. Go PRO today for access to certified personal trainers, workout plans, goal trackers, and more!
What Claims Do People Make About the Health Benefits of Vitamin E?
According to the Office of Dietary Supplements National Institutes of Health, there are several benefits attributed to vitamin E, some of which are currently being studied. These benefits include helping to slow or prevent the following medical problems:
- Macular degeneration
- Cataracts
- Cognitive decline
- Cancer
- Heart disease
For both macular degeneration and cataracts, vitamin E is often prescribed with a combination of vitamin A and zinc. When these vitamins and zinc are used in this combination, some studies showed that there seemed to be a slower progression of age-related macular degeneration and cataracts. However, there is no evidence that vitamin E has any impact on the prevention of these conditions.
There are some claims that vitamin E can help slow down or even reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and other diseases that lead to cognitive decline. However, controlled studies produced no benefits from vitamin E for any cognitive related diseases.
Because vitamin E is an antioxidant, many people are tempted to attribute many benefits to it. However, with more intensive studies, there have been small findings to the benefits of vitamin E.
In fact, this study, which was conducted by Johns Hopkins University, showed that in some cases increasing the vitamin E dosage increased the risk of pancreatic cancer in men. What’s more, this study also showed that too much vitamin E actually shortens the lifespan of humans.
The prevention of heart disease is one of the most touted extra benefits associated with vitamin E. Unfortunately, studies like the Heart Outcomes Prevention Evaluation (HOPE) study showed that vitamin E provided no significant protection against heart attacks or heart disease.
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Does Vitamin E Interact with Prescribed Medication?
Yes, it is possible for vitamin E to interact with your prescription medication, depending upon which medications you are taking. Of course, if you are taking any medication or if you have any medical conditions, you should talk to your doctor before taking any vitamins.
Some medications and medical therapy that can interact negatively with vitamin E are:
- Anticoagulants
- Antiplatelet
- Chemotherapy
- Niacin
- Statins
- Radiotherapy
What Kinds of Foods Should I Eat If I Cannot Take Vitamin E Supplements?
There are a variety of foods that contain vitamin E. Some of these foods include:
- Leafy green vegetables
- Nuts and nut oils
- Soybean oil
- Tomato
The bottom line is that a well-rounded diet that includes meat or fish, fruits, veggies, and beans should provide you with all the vitamin E that you need. Because of the dangers associated with taking too much vitamin E, you should consult your doctor or nutritionist to see if you are getting enough in your diet.
An excellent way to track your vitamin E intake is with a food diary or journal. There are food diaries available that will provide you with room to log the food you eat, their nutrients, fat content, calorie content and more.
Getting the right amount of vitamin E is a good thing but remember that exercise is also an important component of your overall health. Go PRO today for access to certified personal trainers, workout plans, goal trackers, and more!