Vitamin E--Good for You or Not?

See, these are the types of posting that I do not want to read. You said "death from all causes." Well, thank goodness you didn't leave anything out. It's always so frustrating trying to figure out what it is that will keep our machine up and running. One year it's this, one year it's that. I have to say, I'm very irritated about this report. I'm certain there's Vitamin E in my multivitamin. I mean... maybe I should just live on Cocoa Puffs and lock myself in a dark room.

I've heard that if you are going to take a multi vitamin you should take one that only has 50% of your daily value. Your diet should be able to compensate for the rest. I eat so many fruits and vegetables that I don't take a multi (whether or not this is a good idea is a question I have chosen to ignore). I have also heard that your multi should NOT include copper, as copper can be extremely damaging to your body if taken in large doses.

Vitamin E is a fat soluble vitamin, meaning it's retained in the body longer than water soluble vitamins, which don't hang around too long, as any excess is flushed out in the urine. Too much vitamin E can damage the liver, causing all sorts of problems, but it is nonetheless a valuable nutrient that is needed for hormone production, normal functioning of the heart, and a number of other vital bodily functions. The key is knowing how much to take, when to take it in relation to other supplements/drugs, and understanding WHY it can be dangerous or beneficial. There are other nutrients that can pose a much greater risk in cases of overdose than can vitamin E, including copper, iron (excess associated with cancer), Vitamin A, and selenium.

Vitamin E deficiency is rare in humans. There are three specific situations when a vitamin E deficiency is likely to occur. It is seen in persons who cannot absorb dietary fat, has been found in premature, very low birth weight infants (birth weights less than 1500 grams, or 3 1/2 pounds) and is seen in individuals with rare disorders of fat metabolism. Vegetable oils, nuts, and green leafy vegetables are the main dietary sources of vitamin E. Fortified cereals are also an important source of vitamin E

Vitamin E is found in nuts, vegetable oils and in some green vegetables. If you are including these in your diet, you should be getting an adequate amount of Vitamin E in your diet. Did you know that topical applications of antioxidant vitamins work well for your skin? Vitamin E absorbs the sun’s UV rays and protects the skin against redness and sun damage. You should use skin care products that contain Vitamin E in the form of DL Alpha Tocopherol, as this is the safest form for skin.  Products, like DaySkin, protect against aging, sun damage, and promotes the growth of collagen and elastin in the skin.