Vitamin E is another fat-soluble vitamin, with role in cell signalling, regulation of genes, inhibition of cell proliferation and platelet aggregation (specific role for alpha tocopherol). Vitamin E has eight fat soluble compounds, four being tocopherols, and the other four are tocotrienols (alpha, beta, gamma and delta). Alpha tocopherol is the most common compound found in the human body (blood and tissue) and it is the only form to meet the human requirements.
We have numerous food sources: vegetable oils (olive, soybean, palm, corn, sunflower), nuts, whole grains and wheat germs being the richest of them all. There are also dietary supplements providing alpha-tocopherol.
The metabolism pathway is similar with the vitamin A and D, being absorbed in the small intestine, hydrolyzed and transported to liver via lymphatic system. From the liver is delivered to the tissues using an alpha-tocopherol binding protein (alpha TBP), with the other E vitamers ending up in the liver being metabolized and excreted into bile. Vitamin E is present in most of the tissues, but especially in the adipose tissue, liver and muscles. Vitamin E in plasma and liver turns over fast, but the one in the adipose tissue is slow.
The main biological function of vitamin E is as fat-soluble anti-oxidant, preventing the propagation of the free radical reactions. The free radicals are unstable molecules, binding to other molecules, leading to loss of function and tissue damage. Vitamin E prevents and protect the cells form oxidation by free radicals, neutralizing them. This can be only performed once, unless the vitamin E is restored under the action of vitamin C.
Vitamin E also protects the LDL from oxidation, protecting us against heart attack, inhibiting the blood clotting and widening the blood vessels.
It is taking a lot of time to reach a vitamin E depletion, and no symptoms were noted in adults. Only people with fat malabsorption diseases can become deficient, and the solution is water soluble forms of vitamin E to be administered. The symptoms can be nerve damage, loss of vision, muscle weakness. As early diagnostic, you notice increased breaking of red blood cells in infants, as the digestive tract is underdeveloped.
Vitamin E has a low toxicity, being safe for doses up to 1 gram per day, but European Food Safety authorities established the UL (upper limit) of 300mg per day.
Next post will be about vitamin K.
Yours truly,
George
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