Vitamin E

Researchers in the 1920s named Vitamin E tocopherol, which is Greek for "to bring forth children", when they found that a deficiency in vitamin E caused infertility in rats.

What Does Vitamin E Do?

Vitamin E helps with the formation of red blood cells and maintenance of the cells in nerve tissue and the immune system. Vitamin E can also help fight damage to cells caused by heavy metal (lead, mercury, etc.) and environmental and other toxins.

There is evidence that vitamin E may help reduce the risk of heart disease, mainly because of its antioxidant properties. As an antioxidant, it may neutralize free radicals before they can do damage to unsaturated fatty acids in cell membranes, and it may prevent the oxidation of LDL cholesterol, or "bad fats".

Vitamin E is good for the skin and is used in many skin creams and cosmetics.

The RDI (Dietary Reference Intake) recommended amount of vitamin E for a 25-year-old male is 15 mg/day.

Where Can We Get Vitamin E?

Food Sources of Vitamin E

Vitamin E is found naturally in:

wheat germ
whole grains
sardines
egg yolks
nuts and peanuts
leafy green vegetables
fortified breakfast cereals
vegetable oils: corn oil, sunflower oil, soybean oil and olive oil

Vitamin E Supplements

Many people choose to take a Vitamin E supplement for the potential benefits of:

reducing the risk of heart disease and cancer,
dealing with arthritis pain,
boosting the immune system,
reducing muscle damage caused by strenuous exercise

One Vitamin E supplement available is Kirkland Signature Vitamin E 400 IU - 500 Softgels.

Vitamin E supplements of more than 1000mg (1500 IU) per day are known to interfere with the functions of Vitamin K, which is essential for proper blood clotting.