There are quite a few foods that contain vitamin E, but many people don’t know exactly what this vitamin does or why it’s essential in the body. This is a fat-soluble vitamin that has an important role in protecting bodily cells from damage and acting as an antioxidant. In addition to healthy foods, vitamin E is also an important part of many natural supplements that are produced today.
So, here is some information about why the body needs vitamin E and how to get enough of it in your daily meals and through supplementation.
Why the Body Needs Vitamin E
Vitamin E is one of the body’s best defenses against free radicals that are encountered in the environment. This essential vitamin also plays an important role in boosting the immune system and making it ready to fight off harmful viruses and bacteria. Vitamin E helps prevent blood clots, and some studies suggest that higher intakes of vitamin E correlate with lower risks of heart problems. This vitamin has also been studied for its potential benefits related to eye disorders and mental functioning.
According to the National Institutes of Health, the recommended amount of vitamin E per day for adults is 15 milligrams, although women who are breastfeeding tend to require more like 19 milligrams per day.
Good Sources of Vitamin E
You can find vitamin E naturally in many foods, and other foods are fortified with it to give them extra nutritional value. Some of the best sources of vitamin E are sunflower seeds and oil, wheat germ oil, almonds, and other nuts and seeds.
Green vegetables, including broccoli and spinach, contain natural vitamin E. You can also get vitamin E from tomatoes, mangoes, and kiwis. The types of fortified foods that you’ll find with vitamin E added to include some breakfast cereals and fruit juices. Although very rare, vitamin E deficiencies do exist and can result in conditions in which fat isn’t absorbed or digested well in the body.
Vitamin E and Natural Supplements
If you aren’t getting the daily recommended value of vitamin E each day, there are vitamin E supplements that you can take for an extra boost. Vitamin E is rarely harmful or risky to consume, even while taking other medications. But as with all supplements, it’s a good idea to discuss dosages with a doctor before starting a new supplement regimen.
Vitamin E is also commonly used as an antioxidant stabilizer in other types of supplements, such as Seagate’s Omega-3 Fish Liver Oil. These softgel capsules contain a naturally high level of omega-3 fatty acids and are 100 percent pure, containing no other ingredients besides natural vitamin E. Therefore, these supplements are a great way to get the nervous system, circulatory system, and joint support benefits of omega-3s while also getting the benefits of pure vitamin E noted above.
