Vitamin E

Vitamin E
Drug class
The RRR alpha-tocopherol form of vitamin E
Class identifiers
UseVitamin E deficiency, antioxidant
ATC codeA11HA03
Biological targetReactive oxygen species
Clinical data
Drugs.comMedFacts Natural Products
External links
MeSHD014810
In Wikidata

Vitamin E is a group of eight fat soluble compounds that include four tocopherols and four tocotrienols.[1][2] Vitamin E deficiency, which is rare and usually due to an underlying problem with digesting dietary fat rather than from a diet low in vitamin E,[3] can cause nerve problems.[4] Vitamin E is a fat-soluble antioxidant which may help protect cell membranes from reactive oxygen species.[2][4]

Worldwide, government organizations recommend adults consume in the range of 3 to 15 mg per day. As of 2016, consumption was below recommendations according to a worldwide summary of more than one hundred studies that reported a median dietary intake of 6.2 mg per day for alpha-tocopherol.[5] Research with alpha-tocopherol as a dietary supplement, with daily amounts as high as 2,000 mg per day, has had mixed results.[6] Population studies suggested that people who consumed foods with more vitamin E, or who chose on their own to consume a vitamin E dietary supplement, had lower incidence of cardiovascular diseases, cancer, dementia, and other diseases, but placebo-controlled clinical trials could not always replicate these findings.[2] As of 2017, vitamin E continues to be a topic of active clinical research.[7] There is no clinical evidence that use of vitamin E skincare products are effective.[8] Both natural and synthetic tocopherols are subject to oxidation, and so in dietary supplements are esterified, creating tocopheryl acetate for stability purposes.[2][9]

Both the tocopherols and tocotrienols occur in α (alpha), β (beta), γ (gamma) and δ (delta) forms, as determined by the number and position of methyl groups on the chromanol ring.[4][10] All eight of these vitamers feature a chromane double ring, with a hydroxyl group that can donate a hydrogen atom to reduce free radicals, and a hydrophobic side chain which allows for penetration into biological membranes.

Vitamin E was discovered in 1922, isolated in 1935 and first synthesized in 1938. Because the vitamin activity was first identified as essential for fertilized eggs to result in live births (in rats), it was given the name "tocopherol" from Greek words meaning birth and to bear or carry.[11][12][13] Alpha-tocopherol, either naturally extracted from plant oils or, most commonly, as the synthetic tocopheryl acetate, is sold as a popular dietary supplement, either by itself or incorporated into a multivitamin product, and in oils or lotions for use on skin.[2][8]

Chemistry

General chemical structure of tocopherols
RRR alpha-tocopherol; chiral points are where the three dashed lines connect to the side chain

The nutritional content of vitamin E is defined by equivalency to 100% RRR-configuration α-tocopherol activity. The molecules that contribute α-tocopherol activity are four tocopherols and four tocotrienols, within each group of four identified by the prefixes alpha- (α-), beta- (β-), gamma- (γ-), and delta- (δ-). For alpha(α)-tocopherol each of the three "R" sites has a methyl group (CH3) attached. For beta(β)-tocopherol: R1 = methyl group, R2 = H, R3 = methyl group. For gamma(γ)-tocopherol: R1 = H, R2 = methyl group, R3 = methyl group. For delta(δ)-tocopherol: R1 = H, R2 = H, R3 = methyl group. The same configurations exist for the tocotrienols, except that the hydrophobic side chain has three carbon-carbon double bonds whereas the tocopherols have a saturated side chain.[14]

Stereoisomers

In addition to distinguishing tocopherols and tocotrienols by position of methyl groups, the tocopherols have a phytyl tail with three chiral points or centers that can have a right or left orientation. The naturally occurring plant form of alpha-tocopherol is RRR-α-tocopherol, also referred to as d-tocopherol, whereas the synthetic form (all-racemic or all-rac vitamin E, also dl-tocopherol) is equal parts of eight stereoisomers RRR, RRS, RSS, SSS, RSR, SRS, SRR and SSR with progressively decreasing biological equivalency, so that 1.36 mg of dl-tocopherol is considered equivalent to 1.0 mg of d-tocopherol, the natural form. Rephrased, the synthetic has 73.5% of the potency of the natural.[14]

FormStructure
alpha-Tocopherol
beta-Tocopherol
gamma-Tocopherol
delta-Tocopherol
Tocopheryl acetate

Tocopherols

General chemical structure of tocotrienols.

Alpha-tocopherol is a lipid-soluble antioxidant functioning within the glutathione peroxidase pathway,[15] and protecting cell membranes from oxidation by reacting with lipid radicals produced in the lipid peroxidation chain reaction.[2][16] This removes the free radical intermediates and prevents the oxidation reaction from continuing. The oxidized α-tocopheroxyl radicals produced in this process may be recycled back to the active reduced form through reduction by other antioxidants, such as ascorbate, retinol or ubiquinol.[17] Other forms of vitamin E have their own unique properties; for example, γ-tocopherol is a nucleophile that can react with electrophilic mutagens.[10]

Tocotrienols

The four tocotrienols (alpha, beta, gamma, delta) are similar in structure to the four tocopherols, with the main difference being that the former have hydrophobic side chains with three carbon-carbon double bonds, whereas the tocopherols have saturated side chains. For alpha(α)-tocotrienol each of the three "R" sites has a methyl group (CH3) attached. For beta(β)-tocotrienol: R1 = methyl group, R2 = H, R3 = methyl group. For gamma(γ)-tocotrienol: R1 = H, R2 = methyl group, R3 = methyl group. For delta(δ)-tocotrienol: R1 = H, R2 = H, R3 = methyl group. Palm oil is a good source of alpha and gamma tocotrienols.[18]

Tocotrienols have only a single chiral center, which exists at the 2' chromanol ring carbon, at the point where the isoprenoid tail joins the ring. The other two corresponding centers in the phytyl tail of the corresponding tocopherols do not exist as chiral centers for tocotrienols due to unsaturation (C-C double bonds) at these sites. Tocotrienols extracted from plants are always dextrorotatory stereoisomers, signified as d-tocotrienols. In theory, levorotatory forms of tocotrienols (l-tocotrienols) could exist as well, which would have a 2S rather than 2R configuration at the molecules' single chiral center, but unlike synthetic dl-alpha-tocopherol, the marketed tocotrienol dietary supplements are all d-tocotrienol extracts from palm or annatto oils. Preliminary clinical trials on dietary supplement tocotrienols indicate potential for anti-disease activity.[19]

Functions

Tocopherols function by donating H atoms to radicals (X).

Vitamin E may have various roles as a vitamin.[4] Many biological functions have been postulated, including a role as a fat-soluble antioxidant.[4] In this role, vitamin E acts as a radical scavenger, delivering a hydrogen (H) atom to free radicals. At 323 kJ/mol, the O-H bond in tocopherols is about 10% weaker than in most other phenols.[20] This weak bond allows the vitamin to donate a hydrogen atom to the peroxyl radical and other free radicals, minimizing their damaging effect. The thus-generated tocopheryl radical is recycled to tocopherol by a redox reaction with a hydrogen donor, such as vitamin C.[21] As it is fat-soluble, vitamin E is incorporated into cell membranes, which are therefore protected from oxidative damage.

Vitamin E affects gene expression[22] and is an enzyme activity regulator, such as for protein kinase C (PKC) – which plays a role in smooth muscle growth – with vitamin E participating in deactivation of PKC to inhibit smooth muscle growth.[23]

Synthesis

Biosynthesis

Photosynthesizing plants, algae and cyanobacteria synthesize tocochromanols, the chemical family of compounds made up of four tocopherols and four tocotrienols; in a nutrition context this family is referred to as Vitamin E. Biosynthesis starts with formation of the closed-ring part of the molecule as homogentisic acid (HGA). The side chain is attached (saturated for tocopherols, polyunsaturated for tocotrienols). The pathway for both is the same, so that gamma- is created and from that alpha-, or delta- is created and from that the beta- compounds.[24][25] Biosynthesis takes place in the plastids.[25]

As to why plants synthesize tocochromanols, the major reason appears to be for antioxidant activity. Different parts of plants, and different species, are dominated by different tocochromanols. The predominant form in leaves, and hence leafy green vegetables is α-tocopherol.[24] Location is in chloroplast membranes, in close proximity to the photosynthetic process.[25] The function is to protect against damage from the ultraviolet radiation of sunlight. Under normal growing conditions the presence of α-tocopherol does not appear to be essential, as there are other photo-protective compounds, and plants that through mutations have lost the ability to synthesize α-tocopherol demonstrate normal growth. However, under stressed growing conditions such as drought, elevated temperature or salt-induced oxidative stress, the plants' physiological status is superior if it has the normal synthesis capacity.[26]

Seeds are lipid-rich, to provide energy for germination and early growth. Tocochromanols protect the seed lipids from oxidizing and becoming rancid.[24][25] The presence of tocochromanols extends seed longevity, and promotes successful germination and seedling growth.[26] Gamma-tocopherol dominates in seeds of most plant species, but there are exceptions. For canola, corn and soy bean oils, there is more γ-tocopherol than α-tocopherol, but for safflower, sunflower and olive oils the reverse is true.[24][25][18] Of the commonly used food oils, palm oil is unique in that tocotrienol content is higher than tocopherol content.[18] Seed tocochromanols content is also dependent on environmental stressors. In almonds, for example, drought or elevated temperature increase α-tocopherol and γ-tocopherol content of the nuts. The same article mentions that drought increases the tocopherol content of olives, and heat likewise for soybeans.[27]

Industrial synthesis

Naturally sourced d-alpha-tocopherol can be extracted and purified from seed oils, or gamma-tocopherol can be extracted, purified, and methylated to create d-alpha-tocopherol. In contrast to alpha-tocopherol extracted from plants, which is also called d-alpha-tocopherol, industrial synthesis creates dl-alpha-tocopherol. "It is synthesized from a mixture of toluene and 2,3,5-trimethyl-hydroquinone that reacts with isophytol to all-rac-alpha-tocopherol, using iron in the presence of hydrogen chloride gas as catalyst. The reaction mixture obtained is filtered and extracted with aqueous caustic soda. Toluene is removed by evaporation and the residue (all rac-alpha-tocopherol) is purified by vacuum distillation." Specification for the ingredient is >97% pure.[28] This synthetic dl-alpha-tocopherol has approximately 50% of the potency of d-alpha-tocopherol. Manufacturers of dietary supplements and fortified foods for humans or domesticated animals convert the phenol form of the vitamin to an ester using either acetic acid or succinic acid because the esters are more chemically stable, providing for a longer shelf-life. The ester forms are de-esterified in the gut and absorbed as free alpha-tocopherol.

Deficiency

Vitamin E deficiency is rare in humans, occurring as a consequence of abnormalities in dietary fat absorption or metabolism rather than from a diet low in vitamin E.[3] One example of a genetic abnormality in metabolism is mutations of genes coding for alpha-tocopherol transfer protein (α-TTP). Humans with this genetic defect exhibit a progressive neurodegenerative disorder known as ataxia with vitamin E deficiency (AVED) despite consuming normal amounts of vitamin E. Large amounts of alpha-tocopherol as a dietary supplement are needed to compensate for the lack of α-TTP[29][30] Vitamin E deficiency due to either malabsorption or metabolic anomaly can cause nerve problems due to poor conduction of electrical impulses along nerves due to changes in nerve membrane structure and function. In addition to ataxia, vitamin E deficiency can cause peripheral neuropathy, myopathies, retinopathy and impairment of immune responses.[3][4]

Drug interactions

The amounts of alpha-tocopherol, other tocopherols and tocotrienols that are components of dietary vitamin E, when consumed from foods, do not appear to cause any interactions with drugs. Consumption of alpha-tocopherol as a dietary supplement in amounts in excess of 300 mg/day may lead to interactions with aspirin, warfarin, tamoxifen and cyclosporine A in ways that alter function. For aspirin and warfarin, high amounts of vitamin E may potentiate anti-blood clotting action.[4][31] One small trial demonstrated that vitamin E at 400 mg/day reduced blood concentration of the anti-breast cancer drug tamoxifen. In multiple clinical trials, vitamin E lowered blood concentration of the immunosuppressant medication, cyclosporine A.[31] The US National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements, raises a concern that co-administration of vitamin E could counter the mechanisms of anti-cancer radiation therapy and some types of chemotherapy, and so advises against its use in these patient populations. The references it cited reported instances of reduced treatment adverse effects, but also poorer cancer survival, raising the possibility of tumor protection from the intended oxidative damage by the treatments.[4]

Dietary recommendations

US vitamin E recommendations (mg per day)[3]
AI (children ages 0–6 months) 4
AI (children ages 7–12 months) 5
RDA (children ages 1–3 years) 6
RDA (children ages 4–8 years) 7
RDA (children ages 9–13 years) 11
RDA (children ages 14–18 years) 15
RDA (adults ages 19+) 15
RDA (pregnancy) 15
RDA (lactation) 19
UL (adults) 1,000

The U.S. National Academy of Medicine updated estimated average requirements (EARs) and recommended dietary allowances (RDAs) for vitamin E in 2000. RDAs are higher than EARs so as to identify amounts that will cover people with higher than average requirements. Adequate intakes (AIs) are identified when there is not sufficient information to set EARs and RDAs. The EAR for vitamin E for women and men ages 14 and up is 12 mg/day. The RDA is 15 mg/day.[3] As for safety, tolerable upper intake levels ("upper limits" or ULs) are set for vitamins and minerals when evidence is sufficient. Hemorrhagic effects in rats were selected as the critical endpoint to calculate the upper limit via starting with the lowest-observed-adverse-effect-level. The result was a human upper limit set at 1000 mg/day.[3] Collectively the EARs, RDAs, AIs and ULs are referred to as Dietary Reference Intakes.[3]

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) refers to the collective set of information as dietary reference values, with population reference intakes (PRIs) instead of RDAs, and average requirements instead of EARs. AIs and ULs are defined the same as in the United States. For women and men ages 10 and older, the PRIs are set at 11 and 13 mg/day, respectively. PRI for pregnancy is 11 mg/day, for lactation 11 mg/day. For children ages 1–9 years the PRIs increase with age from 6 to 9 mg/day.[32] The EFSA used an effect on blood clotting as a safety-critical effect. It identified that no adverse effects were observed in a human trial as 540 mg/day, used an uncertainty factor of 2 to get to a suggest an upper limit of half of that, then rounded to 300 mg/day.[33]

The Japan National Institute of Health and Nutrition set adult AIs at 6.5 mg/day (females) and 7.0 mg/day (males), and 650–700 mg/day (females), and 750–900 mg/day (males) for upper limits, amounts depending on age.[34] India recommends an intake of 8–10 mg/day and does not set an upper limit.[35] The World Health Organization recommends that adults consume 10 mg/day.[5] The United Kingdom is an outlier, in that it recommends 4 mg/day for adult men and 3 mg/day for adult women.[36]

Consumption is below these government recommendations. Government survey results in the United States reported average consumption for adult females at 8.4 mg/d and adult males 10.4 mg/d.[37] Both are below the RDA of 15 mg/day.A worldwide summary of more than one hundred studies reported a median dietary intake of 6.2 mg/d for alpha-tocopherol.[5]

Food labeling

For U.S. food and dietary supplement labeling purposes the amount in a serving is expressed as a percent of daily value. For vitamin E labeling purposes 100% of the daily value was 30 international units, but as of 27 May 2016 it was revised to 15 mg to bring it into agreement with the RDA.[38][39] Compliance with the updated labeling regulations was required by 1 January 2020 for manufacturers with US$10 million or more in annual food sales, and by 1 January 2021 for manufacturers with lower volume food sales.[40][41] A table of the old and new adult daily values is provided at Reference Daily Intake.

European Union regulations require that labels declare energy, protein, fat, saturated fat, carbohydrates, sugars, and salt. Voluntary nutrients may be shown if present in significant amounts. Instead of daily values, amounts are shown as percent of reference intakes (RIs). For vitamin E, 100% RI was set at 12 mg in 2011.[42]

The international unit measurement was used by the United States in 19682016. 1 IU is the biological equivalent of about 0.667 mg d (RRR)-alpha-tocopherol (2/3 mg exactly), or of 0.90 mg of dl-alpha-tocopherol, corresponding to the then-measured relative potency of stereoisomers. In May 2016, the measurements have been revised, such that 1 mg of "Vitamin E" is 1 mg of d-alpha-tocopherol or 2 mg of dl-alpha-tocopherol.[43] The change was originally started in 2000, when forms of Vitamin E other than alpha-tocopherol was dropped from dietary calculations by the IOM. The UL amount disregards any conversion.[44] The EFSA has never used an IU unit, and their measurement only considers RRR-alpha-tocopherol.[45]

Sources

Worldwide, consumption is below recommendations according to a summary of more than one hundred studies that reported a median dietary intake of 6.2 mg per day for alpha-tocopherol.[5] Of the many different forms of vitamin E, gamma-tocopherol (γ-tocopherol) is the most common form found in the North American diet, but alpha-tocopherol (α-tocopherol) is the most biologically active.[2][46] Palm oil is a source of tocotrienols.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Services, maintains a food composition database. The last major revision was Release 28, September 2015. In addition to the naturally occurring sources shown in the table,[47] certain ready-to-eat cereals, infant formulas, liquid nutrition products and other foods are fortified with alpha-tocopherol.

Plant source[47] Amount
(mg / 100 g)
Wheat germ oil150
Hazelnut oil47
Canola/rapeseed oil44
Sunflower oil41.1
Almond oil39.2
Safflower oil34.1
Grapeseed oil28.8
Sunflower seed kernels26.1
Almonds25.6
Almond butter24.2
Wheat germ19
Plant source[47] Amount
(mg / 100 g)
Canola oil17.5
Palm oil15.9
Peanut oil15.7
Margarine, tub15.4
Hazelnuts15.3
Corn oil14.8
Olive oil14.3
Soybean oil12.1
Pine nuts9.3
Peanut butter9.0
Peanuts8.3
Plant source[47] Amount
(mg / 100 g)
Popcorn5.0
Pistachio nuts2.8
Avocados2.6
Spinach, raw2.0
Asparagus1.5
Broccoli1.4
Cashew nuts0.9
Bread0.2-0.3
Rice, brown0.2
Potato, Pasta<0.1
Animal source[47] Amount
(mg / 100 g)
Fish1.0-2.8
Oysters1.7
Butter1.6
Cheese0.6-0.7
Eggs1.1
Chicken0.3
Beef0.1
Pork0.1
Milk, whole0.1
Milk, skim0.01

Supplements

Softgel capsules used for large amounts of vitamin E

Vitamin E is fat soluble, so dietary supplement products are usually in the form of the vitamin, esterified with acetic acid to generate tocopheryl acetate, and dissolved in vegetable oil in a softgel capsule.[2] For alpha-tocopherol, amounts range from 100 to 1000 IU per serving. Smaller amounts are incorporated into multi-vitamin/mineral tablets. Gamma-tocopherol and tocotrienol supplements are also available from dietary supplement companies. The latter are extracts from palm or annatto oils.

Fortification

The World Health Organization does not have any recommendations for food fortification with vitamin E.[48] The Food Fortification Initiative does not list any countries that have mandatory or voluntary programs for vitamin E.[49] Infant formulas have alpha-tocopherol as an ingredient. In some countries, certain brands of ready-to-eat cereals, liquid nutrition products and other foods have alpha-tocopherol as an added ingredient.[47]

Food additives

Various forms of vitamin E are common food additive in oily food, used to deter rancidity caused by peroxidation. Those with an E number include:[50]

  1. E306 Tocopherol-rich extract (mixed, natural, can include tocotrienol)
  2. E307 Alpha-tocopherol (synthetic)
  3. E308 Gamma-tocopherol (synthetic)
  4. E309 Delta-tocopherol (synthetic)

These E numbers include all racemic forms and acetate esters thereof.[50] Commonly found on food labels in Europe and some other countries, their safety assessment and approval are the responsibility of the European Food Safety Authority.[51]

Metabolism

Tocotrienols and tocopherols, the latter including the stereoisomers of synthetic alpha-tocopherol, are absorbed from the intestinal lumen, incorporated into chylomicrons, and secreted into the portal vein, leading to the liver. Absorption efficiency is estimated at 51% to 86%,[3] and that applies to all of the vitamin E family – there is no discrimination among the vitamin E vitamers during absorption. Unabsorbed vitamin E is excreted via feces. Additionally, vitamin E is excreted by the liver via bile into the intestinal lumen, where it will either be reabsorbed or excreted via feces, and all of the vitamin E vitamers are metabolized and then excreted via urine.[3][14]

Upon reaching the liver, RRR-alpha-tocopherol is preferentially taken up by alpha-tocopherol transfer protein (α-TTP). All other forms are degraded to 2'-carboxethyl-6-hydroxychromane (CEHC), a process that involves truncating the phytic tail of the molecule, then either sulfated or glycuronidated. This renders the molecules water-soluble and leads to excretion via urine. Alpha-tocopherol is also degraded by the same process, to 2,5,7,8-tetramethyl-2-(2'-carboxyethyl)-6-hydroxychromane (α-CEHC), but more slowly because it is partially protected by α-TTP. Large intakes of α-tocopherol result in increased urinary α-CEHC, so this appears to be a means of disposing of excess vitamin E.[3][14]

Alpha-tocopherol transfer protein is coded by the TTPA gene on chromosome 8. The binding site for RRR-α-tocopherol is a hydrophobic pocket with a lower affinity for beta-, gamma-, or delta-tocopherols, or for the stereoisomers with an S configuration at the chiral 2 site. Tocotrienols are also a poor fit because the double bonds in the phytic tail create a rigid configuration that is a mismatch with the α-TTP pocket.[14] A rare genetic defect of the TTPA gene results in people exhibiting a progressive neurodegenerative disorder known as ataxia with vitamin E deficiency (AVED) despite consuming normal amounts of vitamin E. Large amounts of alpha-tocopherol as a dietary supplement are needed to compensate for the lack of α-TTP[29] The role of α-TTP is to move α-tocopherol to the plasma membrane of hepatocytes (liver cells), where it can be incorporated into newly created very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) molecules. These convey α-tocopherol to cells in the rest of the body. As an example of a result of the preferential treatment, the US diet delivers approximately 70 mg/d of γ-tocopherol and plasma concentrations are on the order of 2–5 µmol/L; meanwhile, dietary α-tocopherol is about 7 mg/d but plasma concentrations are in the range of 11–37 µmol/L.[14]

Affinity of α-TTP for vitamin E vitamers[14]

Vitamin E compound Affinity
RRR-αlpha-tocopherol100%
beta-tocopherol38%
gamma-tocopherol9%
delta-tocopherol2%
SSR-alpha-tocopherol11%
alpha-tocotrienol12%

Testing for levels

A worldwide summary of more than one hundred human studies reported a median of 22.1 µmol/L for serum α-tocopherol, and defined α-tocopherol deficiency as less than 12 µmol/L. It cited a recommendation that serum α-tocopherol concentration be ≥30 µmol/L to optimize health benefits.[5] In contrast, the U.S. Dietary Reference Intake text for vitamin E concluded that a plasma concentration of 12 µmol/L was sufficient to achieve normal ex vivo hydrogen peroxide-induced hemolysis.[3] A 2014 review defined less than 9 µmol/L as deficient, 9-12 µmol/L as marginal, and greater than 12 µmol/L as adequate.[52]

Serum concentration increases with age. This is attributed to the fact that vitamin E circulates in blood incorporated into lipoproteins, and serum lipoprotein concentrations increase with age. Infants and young children have a higher risk of being below the deficiency threshold.[5] Cystic fibrosis and other fat malabsorption conditions can result in low serum vitamin E. Dietary supplements will raise serum vitamin E.[3]

Research

For the conditions described below, the results of RCTs do not always concur with the observational evidence. This could be a matter of amount. Observational studies compare low consumers to high consumers based on intake from food, whereas RCTs often used amounts of alpha-tocopherol 20X to 30X higher than what can be achieved from food. Diets higher in vitamin E may contain other compounds that convey health benefits, so the observed effect may not be due to the vitamin E content. There is also a concern that supplementing with alpha-tocopherol in multiples much higher than is possible via diet will suppress absorption and retention of other tocopherols, with unknown effects on health. Supplementing alpha-tocopherol is known to reduce serum gamma- and delta-tocopherol concentrations.[53] From one large survey, consumption of alpha-tocopherol as a supplement lowered serum gamma-tocopherol from 6.0 micromol/L for people not consuming any supplement to 2.1 micromol/L for those consuming greater than or equal to 400 IU/day.[54]

All-cause mortality

Two meta-analyses concluded that as a dietary supplement, vitamin E neither improved nor impaired all-cause mortality.[55][56] An older meta-analysis had concluded high-dosage (≥400 IU/d for at least 1 year) vitamin E was associated with an increase in all-cause mortality. The authors acknowledged that the cited high-dose trials were often small and performed with people who already had chronic diseases.[57] A meta-analysis of long-term clinical trials reported a non-significant 2% increase in all-cause mortality when alpha-tocopherol was the only supplement used. The same meta-analysis reported a statistically significant 3% increase for results when alpha-tocopherol was used by itself or in combination with other nutrients (vitamin A, vitamin C, beta-carotene, selenium).[6]

Declining supplement use

In the United States vitamin E supplement use by female health professionals was 16.1% in 1986, 46.2% in 1998, 44.3% in 2002, but decreased to 19.8% in 2006. Similarly, for male health professionals, rates for same years were 18.9%, 52.0%, 49.4% and 24.5%. The authors theorized that declining use in these populations may have been due to publications of studies that showed either no benefits or negative consequences from vitamin E supplements.[58] Within the U.S. military services, vitamin prescriptions written for active, reserve and retired military, and their dependents, were tracked over years 2007–2011. Vitamin E prescriptions decreased by 53% while vitamin C remained constant and vitamin D increased by 454%.[59] A report on vitamin E sales volume in the US documented a 50% decrease between 2000 and 2006,[60] with a potential reason being a meta-analysis that concluded high-dosage (≥400 IU/d for at least 1 year) vitamin E was associated with an increase in all-cause mortality.[57]

A Cochrane review reported no change to risk of developing age-related macular degeneration from long-term vitamin E suplimentation.[61]

Alzheimer's disease

A 2012 review of dietary intake studies reported that higher consumption of vitamin E from foods lowered the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD) by 24%.[62] In 2017, a consensus statement from the British Association for Psychopharmacology concluded that, until further information is available, vitamin E cannot be recommended for treatment or prevention of Alzheimer's disease.[63] A 2017 Cochrane review reported on vitamin E as a potential dietary benefit for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease. Based on evidence from one trial in each of the categories, the study found insufficient evidence for supplemental vitamin E to prevent progression from MCI to dementia, but it did indicate slowing of functional decline in people with AD. Given the small number of trials and subjects, the authors recommended further research.[64] A 2018 review found lower vitamin E blood levels in AD people compared to healthy, age-matched people.[65]

Cancer

An inverse relationship between dietary vitamin E and kidney cancer and bladder cancer is seen in observational studies. The risk reduction was 19% when highest and lowest intake groups were compared. The authors concluded that randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are needed.[66][67] A large study comparing placebo to an all rac-alpha-tocopherol group consuming 400 IU/day reported no difference in bladder cancer cases.[68] An inverse relationship between dietary vitamin E and lung cancer was reported in observational studies. The relative risk reduction was 16% when highest and lowest intake groups were compared. The benefit was progressive as dietary intake increased from 2 mg/day to 16 mg/day. The authors noted that the findings need to be confirmed by prospective studies.[69] One such large trial, which compared 50 mg alpha-tocopherol to placebo in male tobacco smokers, reported no impact on lung cancer.[70] A trial, which tracked people who chose to consume a vitamin E dietary supplement, reported an increased risk of lung cancer for those consuming more than 215 mg/day.[71]

For prostate cancer, there are conflicting results. A meta-analysis based on serum alpha-tocopherol content reported an inverse correlation, with the difference between lowest and highest a 21% reduction in relative risk.[72] In contrast, a meta-analysis of observational studies reported no relationship for dietary vitamin E intake.[73] There were also conflicting results from large RCTs. The ATBC trial administered placebo or 50 mg/day alpha-tocopherol to male tobacco smokers for 5 to 8 years and reported a 32% decrease in the incidence of prostate cancer.[74] Conversely, the SELECT trial of selenium and vitamin E for prostate cancer enrolled men ages 55 or older, mostly non-smokers, to consume a placebo or a 400 IU/day dietary supplement. It reported relative risk as a statistically significant 17% higher for the vitamin group.[75]

For colorectal cancer, a systematic review identified RCTs of vitamin E and placebo followed for 7–10 years. There was a non-significant 11% decrease in relative risk.[76] The SELECT trial (men over 55 years, placebo or 400 IU/day) also reported on colorectal cancer. There was a non-significant 3% increase in adenoma occurrence compared to placebo.[77] The Women's Health Study compared placebo to 600 IU of natural-source vitamin E on alternate days for an average of 10.1 years. There were no significant differences for incidences of all types of cancer, cancer deaths, or for breast, lung or colon cancers.[78]

Potential confounding factors are the form of vitamin E used in prospective studies and the amounts. Synthetic, racemic mixtures of vitamin E isomers are not bioequivalent to natural, non-racemic mixtures, yet are widely used in clinical trials and as dietary supplement ingredients.[79] One review reported a modest increase in cancer risk with vitamin E supplementation while stating that more than 90% of the cited clinical trials used the synthetic, racemic form dl-alpha-tocopherol.[71]

Cancer health claims

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration initiated a process of reviewing and approving food and dietary supplement health claims in 1993. Reviews of petitions results in proposed claims being rejected or approved. If approved, specific wording is allowed on package labels. In 1999, a second process for claims review was created. If there is not a scientific consensus on the totality of the evidence, a Qualified Health Claim (QHC) may be established. The FDA does not "approve" qualified health claim petitions. Instead, it issues a Letter of Enforcement Discretion that includes very specific claim language and the restrictions on using that wording.[80] The first QHCs relevant to vitamin E were issued in 2003: "Some scientific evidence suggests that consumption of antioxidant vitamins may reduce the risk of certain forms of cancer." In 2009, the claims became more specific, allowing that vitamin E might reduce the risk of renal, bladder and colorectal cancers, but with required mention that the evidence was deemed weak and the claimed benefits highly unlikely. A petition to add brain, cervical, gastric and lung cancers was rejected. A further revision, May 2012, allowed that vitamin E may reduce risk of renal, bladder and colorectal cancers, with a more concise qualifier sentence added: "FDA has concluded that there is very little scientific evidence for this claim." Any company product label making the cancer claims has to include a qualifier sentence.[81] The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) reviews proposed health claims for the European Union countries. As of March 2018, EFSA has not evaluated any vitamin E and cancer prevention claims.

Cataracts

A meta-analysis from 2015 reported that for studies which reported serum tocopherol, higher serum concentration was associated with a 23% reduction in relative risk of age-related cataracts (ARC), with the effect due to differences in nuclear cataract rather than cortical or posterior subcapsular cataract – the three major classifications of age-related cataracts.[82] However, this article and a second meta-analysis reporting on clinical trials of alpha-tocopherol supplementation reported no statistically significant change to risk of ARC when compared to placebo.[82][83]

Cardiovascular diseases

Research on the effects of vitamin E on cardiovascular disease has produced conflicting results. In theory, oxidative modification of LDL-cholesterol promotes blockages in coronary arteries that lead to atherosclerosis and heart attacks, so vitamin E functioning as an antioxidant would reduce oxidized cholesterol and lower risk of cardiovascular disease. Vitamin E status has also been implicated in the maintenance of normal endothelial cell function of cells lining the inner surface of arteries, anti-inflammatory activity and inhibition of platelet adhesion and aggregation.[84] An inverse relation has been observed between coronary heart disease and the consumption of foods high in vitamin E, and also higher serum concentration of alpha-tocopherol.[84][85] In one of the largest observational studies, almost 90,000 healthy nurses were tracked for eight years. Compared to those in the lowest fifth for reported vitamin E consumption (from food and dietary supplements), those in the highest fifth were at a 34% lower risk of major coronary disease.[86] The problem with observational studies is that these cannot confirm a relation between the lower risk of coronary heart disease and vitamin E consumption because of confounding factors. Diet higher in vitamin E may also be higher in other, unidentified components that promote heart health, or people choosing such diets may be making other healthy lifestyle choices.[84][86]

There is some supporting evidence from randomized clinical trials (RCTs). A meta-analysis on the effects of alpha-tocopherol supplementation in RCTs on aspects of cardiovascular health reported that when consumed without any other antioxidant nutrient, the relative risk of heart attack was reduced by 18%.[87] The results were not consistent for all of the individual trials incorporated into the meta-analysis. For example, the Physicians' Health Study II did not show any benefit after 400 IU every other day for eight years, for heart attack, stroke, coronary mortality or all-cause mortality.[88] The HOPE/HOPE-TOO trial, which enrolled people with pre-existing vascular disease or diabetes into a multi-year trial of 400 IU/day, reported a higher risk of heart failure in the alpha-tocopherol group.[89]

The effects of vitamin E supplementation on incidence of stroke were summarized in 2011. There were no significant benefits for vitamin E versus placebo. Subset analysis for ischaemic stroke, haemorrhagic stroke, fatal stroke, non-fatal stroke – all no significant difference in risk. Likewise for subset analysis of natural or synthetic vitamin E, or only above or below 300 IU/day, or whether the enrolled people were healthy or considered to be at higher than normal risk. The authors concluded that there was a lack of clinically important benefit of vitamin E supplementation in the prevention of stroke.[90] One large, multi-year study in which post-menopausal women consumed either placebo or 600 IU of natural-sourced vitamin E on alternate days reported no effect on stroke,[78] but did report a 21% reduction in relative risk of developing a deep vein clot or pulmonary embolism. The beneficial effect was strongest is the subset of women who had a history of a prior thrombotic event or who were genetically coded for clot risk (factor V Leiden or prothrombin mutation).[91]

Cardiovascular health claims

In 2001, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration rejected proposed health claims for vitamin E and cardiovascular health.[92] The U.S. National Institutes of Health reviewed literature published up to 2008 and concluded "In general, clinical trials have not provided evidence that routine use of vitamin E supplements prevents cardiovascular disease or reduces its morbidity and mortality."[4] The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) reviews proposed health claims for the European Union countries. In 2010, the EFSA reviewed and rejected claims that a cause and effect relationship has been established between the dietary intake of vitamin E and maintenance of normal cardiac function or of normal blood circulation.[93]

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

A meta-analysis reported that vitamin E significantly reduced elevated liver enzymes, steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis, suggesting that the vitamin may be useful for treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and the more extreme subset known as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).[94]

Parkinson's disease

There is an observed inverse correlation seen with dietary vitamin E, but no confirming evidence from placebo-controlled clinical trials. A meta-analysis published in 2005 concluded that diets higher in vitamin E content lowered risk of developing Parkinson's disease.[95] From what appears to be the only clinical trial of tocopherol supplementation in people with early Parkinson's disease, 2,000 IU/day for 14 months had no effect on rate of disease progression.[96]

Pregnancy

Antioxidant vitamins as dietary supplements have been proposed as having benefits if consumed during pregnancy. For the combination of vitamin E with vitamin C supplemented to pregnant women, a Cochrane review concluded that the data do not support vitamin E supplementation – majority of trials alpha-tocopherol at 400 IU/day plus vitamin C at 1,000 mg/day – as being efficacious for reducing risk of stillbirth, neonatal death, preterm birth, preeclampsia or any other maternal or infant outcomes, either in healthy women or those considered at risk for pregnancy complications.[97] The review identified only three small trials in which vitamin E was supplemented without co-supplementation with vitamin C. None of these trials reported any clinically meaningful information.[97]

Topical

Although there is widespread use of tocopheryl acetate as a topical medication, with claims for improved wound healing and reduced scar tissue,[98] reviews have repeatedly concluded that there is insufficient evidence to support these claims.[8][99] There are reports of vitamin E-induced allergic contact dermatitis from use of vitamin-E derivatives such as tocopheryl linoleate and tocopherol acetate in skin care products. Incidence is low despite widespread use.[100]

Vaping-associated lung injury

On 5 September 2019, the US Food and Drug Administration announced that 10 out of 18, or 56% of the samples of vape liquids sent in by states, linked to recent vaping related lung disease outbreak in the United States, tested positive for vitamin E acetate[101] which had been used as a thickening agent by illicit THC vape cartridge manufacturers.[102] On 8 November 2019, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identified vitamin E acetate as a very strong culprit of concern in the vaping-related illnesses, but has not ruled out other chemicals or toxicants as possible causes. These findings were based on fluid samples from the lungs of 29 patients with vaping-associated pulmonary injury, which provided direct evidence of vitamin E acetate at the primary site of injury in all the 29 lung fluid samples tested.[103]

History

Vitamin E was discovered in 1922 by Herbert McLean Evans and Katharine Scott Bishop[11] and first isolated in a pure form by Evans and Gladys Anderson Emerson in 1935 at the University of California, Berkeley.[12] Because the vitamin activity was first identified as a dietary fertility factor (in rats) it was given the name "tocopherol" from the Greek words "τόκος" [tókos, birth], and "φέρειν", [phérein, to bear or carry] meaning in sum "to carry a pregnancy," with the ending "-ol" signifying its status as a chemical alcohol. George M. Calhoun, Professor of Greek at the University of California, was credited with helping with the naming process.[13] Erhard Fernholz elucidated its structure in 1938 and shortly afterwards the same year, Paul Karrer and his team first synthesized it.[104]

Nearly 50 years after the discovery of vitamin E an editorial in the Journal of the American Medical Association titled "Vitamin in search of a disease" read in part "...research revealed many of the vitamin's secrets, but no certain therapeutic use and no definite deficiency disease in man." The animal discovery experiments had been a requirement for successful pregnancy, but no benefits were observed for women prone to miscarriage. Evidence for vascular health was characterized as unconvincing. The editorial closed with mention of some preliminary human evidence for protection against hemolytic anemia in young children.[105]

A role for vitamin E in coronary heart disease was first proposed in 1946 by Evan Shute and colleagues.[106][107] More cardiovascular work from the same research group followed,[108] including a proposal that megadoses of vitamin E could slow down and even reverse the development of atherosclerosis.[109] However, a 2004 meta-analysis showed no association between vitamin E supplementation and cardiovascular events (nonfatal stroke or myocardial infarction) or cardiovascular mortality.[110] There is a long history of belief that topical application of vitamin E containing oil benefits burn and wound healing.[98] This belief persists even though scientific reviews repeatedly refuted this claim.[8][99][111]

The role of vitamin E in infant nutrition has a long research history. From 1949 onward there were trials with premature infants suggesting that oral alpha-tocopherol was protective against edema, intracranial hemorrhage, hemolytic anemia and retrolental fibroplasia.[112] A 2003 Cochrane review concluded that vitamin E supplementation in preterm infants reduced the risk of intercranial hemorrhage and retinopathy, but noted an increased risk of sepsis.[113]

See also

References

  1. Traber MG, Bruno RS (2020). "Vitamin E". In BP Marriott, DF Birt, VA Stallings, AA Yates (eds.). Present Knowledge in Nutrition, Eleventh Edition. London, United Kingdom: Academic Press (Elsevier). pp. 115–36. ISBN 978-0-323-66162-1.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Vitamin E". Micronutrient Information Center, Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR. 1 October 2015. Retrieved 3 August 2019.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Institute of Medicine (2000). "Vitamin E". Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Selenium, and Carotenoids. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. pp. 186–283. doi:10.17226/9810. ISBN 978-0-309-06935-9. PMID 25077263.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Vitamin E". Office of Dietary Supplements, U.S. National Institutes of Health. 12 July 2019. Retrieved 3 August 2019.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Péter S, Friedel A, Roos FF, Wyss A, Eggersdorfer M, Hoffmann K, Weber P (December 2015). "A Systematic Review of Global Alpha-Tocopherol Status as Assessed by Nutritional Intake Levels and Blood Serum Concentrations". International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research. 85 (5–6): 261–281. doi:10.1024/0300-9831/a000281. PMID 27414419.
  6. 1 2 Bjelakovic G, Nikolova D, Gluud C (2013). "Meta-regression analyses, meta-analyses, and trial sequential analyses of the effects of supplementation with beta-carotene, vitamin A, and vitamin E singly or in different combinations on all-cause mortality: do we have evidence for lack of harm?". PLOS ONE. 8 (9): e74558. Bibcode:2013PLoSO...874558B. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0074558. PMC 3765487. PMID 24040282.
  7. Galli F, Azzi A, Birringer M, Cook-Mills JM, Eggersdorfer M, Frank J, et al. (January 2017). "Vitamin E: Emerging aspects and new directions". Free Radical Biology & Medicine. 102: 16–36. doi:10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2016.09.017. PMID 27816611. S2CID 40808302.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Sidgwick GP, McGeorge D, Bayat A (August 2015). "A comprehensive evidence-based review on the role of topicals and dressings in the management of skin scarring". Archives of Dermatological Research. 307 (6): 461–77. doi:10.1007/s00403-015-1572-0. PMC 4506744. PMID 26044054.
  9. Braunstein, Matthew H. (1 March 2006). Focus on Vitamin E Research. Nova Science Publishers. p. vii. ISBN 978-1-59454-971-7.
  10. 1 2 Brigelius-Flohé R, Traber MG (July 1999). "Vitamin E: function and metabolism". FASEB Journal. 13 (10): 1145–55. doi:10.1096/fasebj.13.10.1145. PMID 10385606. S2CID 7031925.
  11. 1 2 Evans HM, Bishop KS (December 1922). "On the Existence of a Hitherto Unrecognized Dietary Factor Essential for Reproduction". Science. 56 (1458): 650–1. Bibcode:1922Sci....56..650E. doi:10.1126/science.56.1458.650. JSTOR 1647181. PMID 17838496.
  12. 1 2 Oakes EH (2007), "Emerson, Gladys Anderson", Encyclopedia of World Scientists, pp. 211–212, ISBN 978-1-4381-1882-6
  13. 1 2 Evans HM; Emerson OH; Emerson GA. (1936). "The isolation from wheat germ oil of an alcohol, a-tocopherol, having the properties of vitamin E". Journal of Biological Chemistry. 113 (1): 319–332. doi:10.1016/S0021-9258(18)74918-1.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Manolescu B, Atanasiu V, Cercasov C, Stoian I, Oprea E, Buşu C (2008). "So many options but one choice: the human body prefers alpha-tocopherol. A matter of stereochemistry". Journal of Medicine and Life. 1 (4): 376–82. PMC 5654212. PMID 20108516.
  15. Wefers H, Sies H (June 1988). "The protection by ascorbate and glutathione against microsomal lipid peroxidation is dependent on vitamin E". European Journal of Biochemistry. 174 (2): 353–7. doi:10.1111/j.1432-1033.1988.tb14105.x. PMID 3383850.
  16. Traber MG, Atkinson J (July 2007). "Vitamin E, antioxidant and nothing more". Free Radical Biology & Medicine. 43 (1): 4–15. doi:10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2007.03.024. PMC 2040110. PMID 17561088.
  17. Wang X, Quinn PJ (July 1999). "Vitamin E and its function in membranes". Progress in Lipid Research. 38 (4): 309–36. doi:10.1016/S0163-7827(99)00008-9. PMID 10793887.
  18. 1 2 3 Shahidi F, de Camargo AC (October 2016). "Tocopherols and Tocotrienols in Common and Emerging Dietary Sources: Occurrence, Applications, and Health Benefits". International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 17 (10): 1745. doi:10.3390/ijms17101745. PMC 5085773. PMID 27775605.
  19. Meganathan P, Fu JY (October 2016). "Biological Properties of Tocotrienols: Evidence in Human Studies". International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 17 (11): E1682. doi:10.3390/ijms17111682. PMC 5133770. PMID 27792171.
  20. Lide, David R., ed. (2006). CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics (87th ed.). Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press. ISBN 0-8493-0487-3.
  21. Traber MG, Stevens JF (September 2011). "Vitamins C and E: beneficial effects from a mechanistic perspective". Free Radical Biology & Medicine. 51 (5): 1000–13. doi:10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2011.05.017. PMC 3156342. PMID 21664268.
  22. Azzi A (June 2018). "Many tocopherols, one vitamin E". Molecular Aspects of Medicine. 61: 92–103. doi:10.1016/j.mam.2017.06.004. PMID 28624327. S2CID 36083439.
  23. Schneider C (January 2005). "Chemistry and biology of vitamin E". Molecular Nutrition & Food Research. 49 (1): 7–30. doi:10.1002/mnfr.200400049. PMID 15580660.
  24. 1 2 3 4 Mène-Saffrané L (December 2017). "Vitamin E Biosynthesis and Its Regulation in Plants". Antioxidants. 7 (1): 2. doi:10.3390/antiox7010002. PMC 5789312. PMID 29295607.
  25. 1 2 3 4 5 Fritsche S, Wang X, Jung C (December 2017). "Recent Advances in our Understanding of Tocopherol Biosynthesis in Plants: An Overview of Key Genes, Functions, and Breeding of Vitamin E Improved Crops". Antioxidants. 6 (4): 99. doi:10.3390/antiox6040099. PMC 5745509. PMID 29194404.
  26. 1 2 Falk J, Munné-Bosch S (June 2010). "Tocochromanol functions in plants: antioxidation and beyond". Journal of Experimental Botany. 61 (6): 1549–66. doi:10.1093/jxb/erq030. PMID 20385544.
  27. Kodad O, Socias i Company R, Alonso JM (January 2018). "Genotypic and Environmental Effects on Tocopherol Content in Almond". Antioxidants. 7 (1): 6. doi:10.3390/antiox7010006. PMC 5789316. PMID 29303980.
  28. "Scientific Opinion on the safety and efficacy of synthetic alpha-tocopherol for all animal species". EFSA Journal. 10 (7): 2784. 2012. doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2012.2784.
  29. 1 2 Christopher Min K (2007). "Structure and Function of α‐Tocopherol Transfer Protein: Implications for Vitamin e Metabolism and AVED". Structure and function of alpha-tocopherol transfer protein: implications for vitamin E metabolism and AVED. Vitamins & Hormones. Vol. 76. pp. 23–43. doi:10.1016/S0083-6729(07)76002-8. ISBN 978-0-12-373592-8. PMID 17628170.
  30. Niki E, Traber MG (2012). "A history of vitamin E". Annals of Nutrition & Metabolism. 61 (3): 207–12. doi:10.1159/000343106. PMID 23183290. S2CID 25667777.
  31. 1 2 Podszun M, Frank J (December 2014). "Vitamin E-drug interactions: molecular basis and clinical relevance". Nutrition Research Reviews. 27 (2): 215–31. doi:10.1017/S0954422414000146. PMID 25225959. S2CID 38571160.
  32. "Overview on Dietary Reference Values for the EU population as derived by the EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies" (PDF). 2017.
  33. Tolerable Upper Intake Levels For Vitamins And Minerals (PDF), European Food Safety Authority, 2006
  34. Tanaka, Kiyoshi; Terao, Junji; Shidoji, Yoshihiro; Tamai, Hiroshi; Imai, Eri; Okano, Toshio (2012). "Dietary Reference Intakes for Japanese 2010: Fat-Soluble Vitamins". Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology. 59 (Supplement): S57–S66. doi:10.3177/jnsv.59.S57.
  35. "Nutrient Requirements and Recommended Dietary Allowances for Indians: A Report of the Expert Group of the Indian Council of Medical Research. pp.283-295 (2009)" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on June 15, 2016. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
  36. "Vitamin E". United Kingdom National Health Services. 23 October 2017. Retrieved 7 January 2022.
  37. "TABLE 1: Nutrient Intakes from Food and Beverages" (PDF). What We Eat in America, NHANES 2012–2014 (2016). Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  38. "Federal Register May 27, 2016 Food Labeling: Revision of the Nutrition and Supplement Facts Labels. FR page 33982" (PDF).
  39. "Daily Value Reference of the Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD)". Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD). Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  40. "Changes to the Nutrition Facts Label". U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 27 May 2016. Retrieved 16 May 2020. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  41. "Industry Resources on the Changes to the Nutrition Facts Label". U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 21 December 2018. Retrieved 16 May 2020. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  42. "Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council". Official Journal of the European Union. 22 (11): 18–63. 2011.
  43. "Unit Conversions". National Institutes of Health. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  44. "Composition of Foods Raw, Processed, Prepared USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 20" (PDF). USDA. February 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 February 2012.
  45. "Scientific Opinion on Dietary Reference Values for vitamin E as α‐tocopherol". EFSA Journal. 13 (7). July 2015. doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2015.4149. only 2R-α-tocopherol stereoisomers were found to meet human requirements for the vitamin... Currently, only RRR-α-tocopherol is considered to be the physiologically active vitamer.
  46. Reboul E, Richelle M, Perrot E, Desmoulins-Malezet C, Pirisi V, Borel P (November 2006). "Bioaccessibility of carotenoids and vitamin E from their main dietary sources". Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 54 (23): 8749–55. doi:10.1021/jf061818s. PMID 17090117.
  47. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "USDA Food Composition Databases". United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. Release 28. 2015. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  48. "Guidelines on food fortification with micronutrients" (PDF). World Health Organization. 2006. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  49. "Food Fortification Initiative". Food Fortification Initiative, Enhancing Grains for Better Lives. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  50. 1 2 "Scientific Opinion on the re‐evaluation of tocopherol‐rich extract (E 306), α‐tocopherol (E 307), γ‐tocopherol (E 308) and δ‐tocopherol (E 309) as food additives". EFSA Journal. 13 (9). September 2015. doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2015.4247.
  51. "Frequently Asked Questions | Why Food Additives". Food Additives and Ingredients Association UK & Ireland- Making life taste better. Archived from the original on 1 June 2019. Retrieved 27 October 2010.
  52. Traber MG (September 2014). "Vitamin E inadequacy in humans: causes and consequences". Advances in Nutrition. 5 (5): 503–14. doi:10.3945/an.114.006254. PMC 4188222. PMID 25469382.
  53. Huang HY, Appel LJ (October 2003). "Supplementation of diets with alpha-tocopherol reduces serum concentrations of gamma- and delta-tocopherol in humans". The Journal of Nutrition. 133 (10): 3137–40. doi:10.1093/jn/133.10.3137. PMID 14519797.
  54. Ford ES, Ajani UA, Mokdad AH (July 2005). "Brief communication: The prevalence of high intake of vitamin E from the use of supplements among U.S. adults". Annals of Internal Medicine. 143 (2): 116–20. doi:10.7326/0003-4819-143-2-200507190-00010. PMID 16027453. S2CID 31405597.
  55. Abner EL, Schmitt FA, Mendiondo MS, Marcum JL, Kryscio RJ (July 2011). "Vitamin E and all-cause mortality: a meta-analysis". Current Aging Science. 4 (2): 158–70. doi:10.2174/1874609811104020158. PMC 4030744. PMID 21235492.
  56. Curtis AJ, Bullen M, Piccenna L, McNeil JJ (December 2014). "Vitamin E supplementation and mortality in healthy people: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials". Cardiovasc Drugs Ther. 28 (6): 563–73. doi:10.1007/s10557-014-6560-7. PMID 25398301. S2CID 23820017.
  57. 1 2 Miller ER, Pastor-Barriuso R, Dalal D, Riemersma RA, Appel LJ, Guallar E (January 2005). "Meta-analysis: high-dosage vitamin E supplementation may increase all-cause mortality". Annals of Internal Medicine. 142 (1): 37–46. doi:10.7326/0003-4819-142-1-200501040-00110. PMID 15537682. S2CID 35030072.
  58. Kim HJ, Giovannucci E, Rosner B, Willett WC, Cho E (March 2014). "Longitudinal and secular trends in dietary supplement use: Nurses' Health Study and Health Professionals Follow-Up Study, 1986–2006". Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. 114 (3): 436–43. doi:10.1016/j.jand.2013.07.039. PMC 3944223. PMID 24119503.
  59. Morioka TY, Bolin JT, Attipoe S, Jones DR, Stephens MB, Deuster PA (July 2015). "Trends in Vitamin A, C, D, E, K Supplement Prescriptions From Military Treatment Facilities: 2007 to 2011". Military Medicine. 180 (7): 748–53. doi:10.7205/MILMED-D-14-00511. PMID 26126244.
  60. Tilburt JC, Emanuel EJ, Miller FG (September 2008). "Does the evidence make a difference in consumer behavior? Sales of supplements before and after publication of negative research results". Journal of General Internal Medicine. 23 (9): 1495–8. doi:10.1007/s11606-008-0704-z. PMC 2518024. PMID 18618194.
  61. Evans JR, Lawrenson JG (July 2017). "Antioxidant vitamin and mineral supplements for preventing age-related macular degeneration". The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2017 (7): CD000253. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD000253.pub4. PMC 6483250. PMID 28756617.
  62. Li FJ, Shen L, Ji HF (2012). "Dietary intakes of vitamin E, vitamin C, and β-carotene and risk of Alzheimer's disease: a meta-analysis". Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. 31 (2): 253–8. doi:10.3233/JAD-2012-120349. PMID 22543848.
  63. O'Brien JT, Holmes C, Jones M, Jones R, Livingston G, McKeith I, et al. (February 2017). "Clinical practice with anti-dementia drugs: A revised (third) consensus statement from the British Association for Psychopharmacology" (PDF). Journal of Psychopharmacology. 31 (2): 147–168. doi:10.1177/0269881116680924. PMID 28103749. S2CID 52848530.
  64. Farina N, Llewellyn D, Isaac MG, Tabet N (April 2017). "Vitamin E for Alzheimer's dementia and mild cognitive impairment". The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2017 (4): CD002854. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD002854.pub5. PMC 6478142. PMID 28418065.
  65. Dong Y, Chen X, Liu Y, Shu Y, Chen T, Xu L, et al. (February 2018). "Do low-serum vitamin E levels increase the risk of Alzheimer disease in older people? Evidence from a meta-analysis of case-control studies". International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. 33 (2): e257–e263. doi:10.1002/gps.4780. PMID 28833475. S2CID 44859128.
  66. Shen C, Huang Y, Yi S, Fang Z, Li L (November 2015). "Association of Vitamin E Intake with Reduced Risk of Kidney Cancer: A Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies". Medical Science Monitor. 21: 3420–6. doi:10.12659/MSM.896018. PMC 4644018. PMID 26547129.
  67. Wang YY, Wang XL, Yu ZJ (2014). "Vitamin C and E intake and risk of bladder cancer: a meta-analysis of observational studies". International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine. 7 (11): 4154–64. PMC 4276184. PMID 25550926.
  68. Lotan Y, Goodman PJ, Youssef RF, Svatek RS, Shariat SF, Tangen CM, et al. (June 2012). "Evaluation of vitamin E and selenium supplementation for the prevention of bladder cancer in SWOG coordinated SELECT". The Journal of Urology. 187 (6): 2005–10. doi:10.1016/j.juro.2012.01.117. PMC 4294531. PMID 22498220.
  69. Zhu YJ, Bo YC, Liu XX, Qiu CG (March 2017). "Association of dietary vitamin E intake with risk of lung cancer: a dose-response meta-analysis". Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 26 (2): 271–277. doi:10.6133/apjcn.032016.04. PMID 28244705.
  70. Alpha-Tocopherol, Beta Carotene Cancer Prevention Study Group (April 1994). "The effect of vitamin E and beta carotene on the incidence of lung cancer and other cancers in male smokers". The New England Journal of Medicine. 330 (15): 1029–35. doi:10.1056/NEJM199404143301501. PMID 8127329.
  71. 1 2 Slatore CG, Littman AJ, Au DH, Satia JA, White E (March 2008). "Long-term use of supplemental multivitamins, vitamin C, vitamin E, and folate does not reduce the risk of lung cancer". American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. 177 (5): 524–30. doi:10.1164/rccm.200709-1398OC. PMC 2258445. PMID 17989343.
  72. Cui R, Liu ZQ, Xu Q (2014). "Blood α-tocopherol, γ-tocopherol levels and risk of prostate cancer: a meta-analysis of prospective studies". PLOS ONE. 9 (3): e93044. Bibcode:2014PLoSO...993044C. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0093044. PMC 3965522. PMID 24667740.
  73. Kim Y, Wei J, Citronberg J, Hartman T, Fedirko V, Goodman M (September 2015). "Relation of Vitamin E and Selenium Exposure to Prostate Cancer Risk by Smoking Status: A Review and Meta-Analysis". Anticancer Research. 35 (9): 4983–96. PMID 26254398.
  74. Heinonen OP, Albanes D, Virtamo J, Taylor PR, Huttunen JK, Hartman AM, et al. (March 1998). "Prostate cancer and supplementation with alpha-tocopherol and beta-carotene: incidence and mortality in a controlled trial". Journal of the National Cancer Institute. 90 (6): 440–6. doi:10.1093/jnci/90.6.440. PMID 9521168.
  75. Klein EA, Thompson IM, Tangen CM, Crowley JJ, Lucia MS, Goodman PJ, et al. (October 2011). "Vitamin E and the risk of prostate cancer: the Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT)". JAMA. 306 (14): 1549–56. doi:10.1001/jama.2011.1437. PMC 4169010. PMID 21990298.
  76. Arain MA, Abdul Qadeer A (April 2010). "Systematic review on "vitamin E and prevention of colorectal cancer"". Pakistan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. 23 (2): 125–30. PMID 20363687.
  77. Lance P, Alberts DS, Thompson PA, Fales L, Wang F, San Jose J, et al. (January 2017). "Colorectal Adenomas in Participants of the SELECT Randomized Trial of Selenium and Vitamin E for Prostate Cancer Prevention". Cancer Prevention Research. 10 (1): 45–54. doi:10.1158/1940-6207.CAPR-16-0104. PMC 5510661. PMID 27777235.
  78. 1 2 Lee IM, Cook NR, Gaziano JM, Gordon D, Ridker PM, Manson JE, et al. (July 2005). "Vitamin E in the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease and cancer: the Women's Health Study: a randomized controlled trial". JAMA. 294 (1): 56–65. doi:10.1001/jama.294.1.56. PMID 15998891.
  79. Jensen SK, Lauridsen C (2007). "Α‐Tocopherol Stereoisomers". Alpha-tocopherol stereoisomers. Vitamins & Hormones. Vol. 76. pp. 281–308. doi:10.1016/S0083-6729(07)76010-7. ISBN 978-0-12-373592-8. PMID 17628178.
  80. "Qualified Health Claims". Overview from the US Food & Drug Administration. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
  81. "Alliance for Natural Health v. Sebelius, Case No. 09-1546 (D.D.C.)". US Food & Drug Administration. 2012. Archived from the original on 14 November 2017. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
  82. 1 2 Zhang Y, Jiang W, Xie Z, Wu W, Zhang D (October 2015). "Vitamin E and risk of age-related cataract: a meta-analysis". Public Health Nutrition. 18 (15): 2804–14. doi:10.1017/S1368980014003115. PMID 25591715. S2CID 3168065.
  83. Mathew MC, Ervin AM, Tao J, Davis RM (June 2012). "Antioxidant vitamin supplementation for preventing and slowing the progression of age-related cataract". The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 6 (6): CD004567. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD004567.pub2. PMC 4410744. PMID 22696344.
  84. 1 2 3 Kirmizis D, Chatzidimitriou D (2009). "Antiatherogenic effects of vitamin E: the search for the Holy Grail". Vascular Health and Risk Management. 5: 767–74. doi:10.2147/vhrm.s5532. PMC 2747395. PMID 19774218.
  85. Gaziano JM (December 2004). "Vitamin E and cardiovascular disease: observational studies". Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. 1031 (1): 280–91. Bibcode:2004NYASA1031..280G. doi:10.1196/annals.1331.028. PMID 15753154. S2CID 26369772.
  86. 1 2 Stampfer MJ, Hennekens CH, Manson JE, Colditz GA, Rosner B, Willett WC (May 1993). "Vitamin E consumption and the risk of coronary disease in women". The New England Journal of Medicine. 328 (20): 1444–9. doi:10.1056/NEJM199305203282003. PMID 8479463.
  87. Loffredo L, Perri L, Di Castelnuovo A, Iacoviello L, De Gaetano G, Violi F (April 2015). "Supplementation with vitamin E alone is associated with reduced myocardial infarction: a meta-analysis". Nutrition, Metabolism, and Cardiovascular Diseases. 25 (4): 354–63. doi:10.1016/j.numecd.2015.01.008. PMID 25779938.
  88. Sesso HD, Buring JE, Christen WG, Kurth T, Belanger C, MacFadyen J, et al. (November 2008). "Vitamins E and C in the prevention of cardiovascular disease in men: the Physicians' Health Study II randomized controlled trial". JAMA. 300 (18): 2123–33. doi:10.1001/jama.2008.600. PMC 2586922. PMID 18997197.
  89. Lonn E, Bosch J, Yusuf S, Sheridan P, Pogue J, Arnold JM, et al. (March 2005). "Effects of long-term vitamin E supplementation on cardiovascular events and cancer: a randomized controlled trial". JAMA. 293 (11): 1338–47. doi:10.1001/jama.293.11.1338. PMID 15769967.
  90. Bin Q, Hu X, Cao Y, Gao F (April 2011). "The role of vitamin E (tocopherol) supplementation in the prevention of stroke. A meta-analysis of 13 randomised controlled trials". Thrombosis and Haemostasis. 105 (4): 579–85. doi:10.1160/TH10-11-0729. PMID 21264448. S2CID 23237227.
  91. Glynn RJ, Ridker PM, Goldhaber SZ, Zee RY, Buring JE (September 2007). "Effects of random allocation to vitamin E supplementation on the occurrence of venous thromboembolism: report from the Women's Health Study". Circulation. 116 (13): 1497–503. doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.107.716407. PMID 17846285. S2CID 73079504.
  92. "Letter Regarding Dietary Supplement Health Claim for Vitamin E and Heart Disease (Docket No 99P-4375)". U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Archived from the original on 15 November 2017. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
  93. "Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to vitamin E and protection of DNA, proteins and lipids from oxidative damage (ID 160, 162, 1947), maintenance of the normal function of the immune system (ID 161, 163), maintenance of normal bone (ID 164), maintenance of normal teeth (ID 164), maintenance of normal hair (ID 164), maintenance of normal skin (ID 164), maintenance of normal nails (ID 164), maintenance of normal cardiac function (ID 166), maintenance of normal vision by protection of the lens of the eye (ID 167), contribution to normal cognitive function (ID 182, 183), regeneration of the reduced form of vitamin C (ID 203), maintenance of normal blood circulation (ID 216) and maintenance of normal a scalp (ID 2873) pursuant to Article 13(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006". EFSA Journal. 8 (10): 1816. 2010. doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2010.1816.
  94. Sato K, Gosho M, Yamamoto T, Kobayashi Y, Ishii N, Ohashi T, et al. (2015). "Vitamin E has a beneficial effect on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials". Nutrition. 31 (7–8): 923–30. doi:10.1016/j.nut.2014.11.018. PMID 26059365.
  95. Etminan M, Gill SS, Samii A (June 2005). "Intake of vitamin E, vitamin C, and carotenoids and the risk of Parkinson's disease: a meta-analysis". The Lancet. Neurology. 4 (6): 362–5. doi:10.1016/S1474-4422(05)70097-1. PMID 15907740. S2CID 25691968.
  96. Shoulson I (September 1998). "DATATOP: a decade of neuroprotective inquiry. Parkinson Study Group. Deprenyl And Tocopherol Antioxidative Therapy of Parkinsonism". Annals of Neurology. 44 (3 Suppl 1): S160-6. doi:10.1002/ana.410440724. PMID 9749589. S2CID 70459017.
  97. 1 2 Rumbold A, Ota E, Hori H, Miyazaki C, Crowther CA (September 2015). "Vitamin E supplementation in pregnancy". The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2016 (9): CD004069. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD004069.pub3. PMC 8406700. PMID 26343254.
  98. 1 2 Panin G, Strumia R, Ursini F (December 2004). "Topical alpha-tocopherol acetate in the bulk phase: eight years of experience in skin treatment". Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. 1031 (1): 443–7. Bibcode:2004NYASA1031..443P. doi:10.1196/annals.1331.069. PMID 15753192. S2CID 45771699.
  99. 1 2 Tanaydin V, Conings J, Malyar M, van der Hulst R, van der Lei B (September 2016). "The Role of Topical Vitamin E in Scar Management: A Systematic Review". Aesthetic Surgery Journal. 36 (8): 959–65. doi:10.1093/asj/sjw046. PMID 26977069.
  100. Kosari P, Alikhan A, Sockolov M, Feldman SR (2010). "Vitamin E and allergic contact dermatitis". Dermatitis. 21 (3): 148–53. doi:10.2310/6620.2010.09083. PMID 20487657. S2CID 38212099.
  101. The Sun, Lena (6 September 2019). "Contaminant found in marijuana vaping products linked to deadly lung illnesses, tests show". The Washington Post. Retrieved 9 September 2019.
  102. "Three Companies Subpoenaed in Weed Vape Illness Investigation". Rolling Stone. 10 September 2019.
  103. "Transcript of CDC Telebriefing: Update on Lung Injury Associated with E-cigarette Use, or Vaping". Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 8 November 2019.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  104. Karrer P, Fritzsche H, Ringier BH, Salomon H (1938). "Synthesis of α-Tocopherol (Vitamin E)". Nature. 141 (3580): 1057. Bibcode:1938Natur.141.1057K. doi:10.1038/1411057d0. S2CID 4118327.
  105. "Vitamin in Search of a Disease". JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association. 201 (3): 195–196. 1967. doi:10.1001/jama.1967.03130030065018.
  106. Vogelsang A, Shute EV (June 1946). "Effect of vitamin E in coronary heart disease". Nature. 157 (3997): 772. Bibcode:1946Natur.157..772V. doi:10.1038/157772b0. PMID 21064771. S2CID 4099854.
  107. Skelton F, Shute E, Skinner HG, Waud RA (June 1946). "Antipurpuric Action of A-Tocopherol (Vitamin E)". Science. 103 (2687): 762. Bibcode:1946Sci...103R.762S. doi:10.1126/science.103.2687.762-b. PMID 17836459.
  108. Shute EV, Vogelsang AB (January 1948). "The influence of vitamin E on vascular disease". Surgery, Gynecology & Obstetrics. 86 (1): 1–8. PMID 18920873.
  109. Shute WE, Shute EV. Alpha Tocopherol (Vitamin E) in Cardiovascular Disease. Toronto, Ontario, Canada: Ryerson Press, 1954
  110. Eidelman RS, Hollar D, Hebert PR, Lamas GA, Hennekens CH (July 2004). "Randomized trials of vitamin E in the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular disease". Archives of Internal Medicine. 164 (14): 1552–6. doi:10.1001/archinte.164.14.1552. PMID 15277288.
  111. Pehr K, Forsey RR (November 1993). "Why don't we use vitamin E in dermatology?". CMAJ. 149 (9): 1247–53. PMC 1485678. PMID 8221479.
  112. Bell EF (July 1987). "History of vitamin E in infant nutrition". The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 46 (1 Suppl): 183–6. doi:10.1093/ajcn/46.1.183. PMID 3300257.
  113. Brion LP, Bell EF, Raghuveer TS (2003). "Vitamin E supplementation for prevention of morbidity and mortality in preterm infants". The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2010 (4): CD003665. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD003665. PMID 14583988.
  • "Vitamin E". Drug Information Portal. U.S. National Library of Medicine.
  • "alpha-tocopherol". Drug Information Portal. U.S. National Library of Medicine.
This article is issued from Offline. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.