HomeHealth TopicsFood NutritionVitamin E
Back to Food Nutrition
Vitamin E
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Food Nutrition

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is an antioxidant that plays a vital role in your immune system and metabolic processes.

Overview

Vitamins are substances that your body needs to grow and develop normally. Vitamin E is an antioxidant. It plays a role in your immune system and metabolic processes.

Sources

Good sources of vitamin E include:

  • Vegetable oils
  • Margarine
  • Nuts and seeds
  • Leafy greens

Vitamin E is also added to foods like cereals. Most people get enough vitamin E from the foods they eat.

Special Considerations

People with certain disorders, such as liver diseases, cystic fibrosis, and Crohn's disease, may need extra vitamin E.

Vitamin E supplements may be harmful for people who take blood thinners and other medicines. Check with your health care provider before taking the supplements.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, it is generally not safe to take high-dose Vitamin E supplements if you are on blood thinners like warfarin, apixaban, or rivaroxaban. Vitamin E has mild anticoagulant properties, and combining it with prescription blood thinners significantly increases the risk of serious bleeding events. Always consult your prescribing physician before adding any antioxidant supplements to your regimen while on these medications.
The tolerable upper intake level for adults is 1,000 mg (1,500 IU) of natural Vitamin E or 1,100 mg (1,600 IU) of synthetic Vitamin E per day. While deficiency is rare, excessive intake can lead to bleeding disorders because Vitamin E interferes with blood clotting. Signs of toxicity include nausea, diarrhea, fatigue, and blurred vision. If you experience unusual bruising or bleeding gums while taking high-dose supplements, stop immediately and contact your healthcare provider.
For most healthy individuals, a balanced diet provides sufficient Vitamin E without the need for supplements. You can easily meet the daily requirement of 15 mg (22.4 IU) by consuming 1/4 cup of sunflower seeds, 1/3 cup of almonds, or 2 tablespoons of wheat germ oil. Supplements are generally only recommended for people with specific malabsorption issues, such as those with cystic fibrosis or chronic liver disease, and should only be taken under medical supervision.
Natural Vitamin E, labeled as d-alpha-tocopherol, is more bioavailable and potent than synthetic Vitamin E, labeled as dl-alpha-tocopherol. The body absorbs natural Vitamin E more efficiently, meaning you need a lower dose to achieve the same health benefits. When reading supplement labels, look for the "d-" prefix to identify the natural form, which is often preferred for therapeutic use, though both forms are safe when taken within recommended limits.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

kontakt@hittavard.se

Ⓒ 2024. Alla rättigheter förbehålls av juxt ab

Sök
Om ossVillkor och policyVanliga frågorKontakta oss