Vitamin E (tocopherol) is essential to our health and vitality because it performs so many important functions in our bodies. Some people maintain that it has near-magic powers, which include the ability to improve virility.Whether vitamin E is a miracle vitamin is open to some debate, but there is no doubt that it plays a protective and restorative part in many body functions. Its primary role is to act as what is called an anti-oxidant, which means that it protects nutrients (including vitamins A, B & C and unsaturated fats) in the body from damage by oxygen. It does this by working with the mineral selenium. Vitamin E also plays an important part in the working of our hearts, dissolving clots, opening up new channels of blood supply, dilating blood vessels and strengthening blood capillary walls. It improves the power and efficient working of our muscle tissue, acts as a natural diuretic, helps the growth of new skin and prevents the formation of excessive scar tissue. The vitamin also helps the body in other ways, including resisting infection and the effects of pollution and, possibly, increasing fertility in men and delaying the aging process.
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin, but unlike other fat-soluble vitamins only a small amount is stored in the body, mainly in the glands, so regular supplies are needed from vitamin E rich foods or from supplements.
Consult your doctor before increasing intake of any nutrient or changing your diet in any way!A List of Rich Sources of Vitamin E
Vitamin E Rich Foods List Milligrams Portion Sunflower oil 49 100g Cottonseed oil 43 100g Safflower oils 40 100g Hazelnuts up to 25 100g Almonds 24 100g Wheat germ 22mg 100g Rapeseed oil 22 100g Cod liver oil 20 100g Mayonnaise 19 100g corn oil 17 100g Soya bean oil 16 100g Peanut oil 15 100g Pine nuts 13 100g Popcorn 11 100g Samosas 10 + 100g Peanuts 10 100g Margarine up to 8 100g Brazil Nuts 7 100g Marzipan 6 + 100g Other spreads 2-6mg 100g Sweet Potato 4.5 100g Walnuts 3 100g Egg Yolks 3 + 100g Muesli 3mg 100g Avocado up to 3 100g Flapjacks 2.8 100g Sponge Cake 2.4 100g Battenburg Cake 2.4 100g
What if you're not getting vitamin E from rich foods?
Although everyone needs vitamin E, it is rare that a specific illness arises from a deficiency. Newborn babies, especially those who are premature or with a low birth weight, may develop anaemia as they have low levels of the vitamin at birth and they are unable to make sufficient use of what they have. These levels will rise faster if they are breast-fed rather tahn bottle-fed. Adults with conditions which make them unable to absorb fats may also need supplementation.In other cases, people who are deficient may feel under the weather - lacking vitality, the ability to concentrate or to be active in any way. There might also be a decreased desire for sex. Severe deficiencies may lead to anaemia and disorder of the reproductive system.
Who Needs Vitamin A?
A great deal of research has been carried out on this vitamin and, while it is accepted as one which is necessary for good health and proper functioning of our bodies, debate rages as to which people would benefit from extra amounts. There is some evidence that the vitamin may cure some illnesses. People with heart disease or related conditions may be helped, along with women with varicose veins, benign breast lumps, repeated miscarriages and menstrual problems. The oestrogen in the pill or in HRT therapy for menopausal women may impair the absorption of the vitamin, and it had been suggested that women taking these should have a daily teaspoon of wheat germ oil to counteract the effect, or supplement their diet with wheat germ.Diabetics, by taking vitamin E, have reduced the chances of the circulatory problems that often develop. People who suffer from muscle cramps and some skin complaints like ulcers have also benefited. The vitamin might also be useful for athletes, who require that extra bit of stamina, and also for those who have fertility problems.
If you wish to make therapeutic use of this vitamin you should see your doctor or consult a practitioner who is well informed on its use in vitamin therapy.
Source: weightless
