Fat-soluble organic compound found principally in certain plant oils and leaves of green vegetables

Consists of eight chemical forms but only alpha-tocopherol meets human requirement

Functions in the Body• Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant and anti-carcinogen as well as

anti-aging supplement. • Due to its antioxidant capabilities Vitamin E protects our body

from:o carbon, lead, mercury, tetrachloride, the ozone, nitrous oxide and other

carcinogens. • Helps skin and scar tissue heal.• Prevention of cancer.• Assists in the maintenance of vitamins A and C in the body.• Enhances antibody formation and benefits people suffering from a

cold or other viruses. • Essential for cardiovascular health and for sex organ functioning. • Maintains the integrity of cell membranes.

• Generally seen in:o premature infantso individuals with genetic abnormalitieso those who cannot digest fat

• Vitamin E Deficiency Symptoms in Infantso Loss of weight and delayed growtho Poor feeding habitso Developmental problems that includes physical and

mental problems o Retrolental fibroplasia:

Eye disease thought to be caused by disorganized growth of retinal blood vessels

result in scarring and retinal detachment. May lead to blindness in serious cases.

• Vitamin E Deficiency Symptoms in Childreno Spinocerebellar ataxia with loss of deep tendon reflexeso Truncal and limb ataxiao Loss of vibration and position senses o Ophthalmoplegia

Paralysis or weakness of one or more of the muscles that control eye movement

o Muscle weaknesso Ptosis

abnormally low position (drooping) of the upper eyelid. o Dysarthria

difficulty in articulation of words due to neurologic disturbances of function of orofacial muscles, tongue, lips, and throat.

o Slow growth in children

• Vitamin E Deficiency Symptoms in Adultso Mild hemolytic anemia

Abnormal breakdown of RBC’so Nonspecific neurological deficitso Disorders related to reproduction and infertilityo Fragile red blood cellso Age spotso Cataracts

clouding that develops in the crystalline lens of the eye or in its envelope, varying in degree from slight to complete opacity and obstructing the passage of light.

o Certain Neurological damageo Decrease in sex driveo Muscle, liver, bone marrow and brain function

abnormalities.

• Take relatively large amounts for months to years without any apparent harm.

• Occasionally, muscle weakness, fatigue, nausea, diarrhea and bleeding.

• May increase the risk of hemorrhagic stroke and premature death.o accumulation of blood anywhere within

the skull vault.

• Particularly high levels of vitamin E can be found in the following foodso Asparagus o Avocado o Egg o Milk o Nuts (almonds or hazelnuts)o Seeds o Green Leafy Vegetables (spinach)o Wholegrain foods o Vegetable Oil

• One quarter of whites and Hispanics, nearly one-half of African-Americans, and one-third of other ethnic groups have Vitamin E levels which place them at greater risk of cardiovascular disease.

• Three national and the Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals have found that the diets of most Americans provide less than the RDA levels of vitamin E.

• Because the digestive tract requires fat to absorb vitamin E, people with fat-malabsorption disorders are more likely to become deficient than people without such disorders.

The following populations may be at risk for vitamin E deficiency• People with Crohn’s disease, Cystic Fibrosis,

Celiac Disease , pancreatic enzyme deficiency, and liver disease.

• Very low birth weight infants—These infants are usually under the care of a neonatologist, who will evaluate and treat the premature infant's exact nutrition needs.

• People who suffer from abetalipoproteinemia—This is a rare inherited disorder of fat metabolism that results in poor absorption of dietary fat and vitamin E.

• Patients on Dialysis ,chronic parenteral nutrition and patients after Gastric Bypass surgery

• http://ods.od.nih.gov/FACTSHEETS/VITAMINE.ASP

• http://www.mbmc.org/healthgate/GetHGContent.aspx?token=9c315661-83b7-472d-a7ab-bc8582171f86&chunkiid=14070

• http://dietary-supplements.info.nih.gov/factsheets/vitamine.asp

• http://www.the-vitamin-and-supplement-guide.com/evitaminfunctions.html

• http://ods.od.nih.gov/FACTSHEETS/VITAMINE.ASP

• http://www.buzzle.com/articles/vitamin-e-deficiency-symptoms.html