by Jennifer Brett, N.D.

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Brett, N.D., Jennifer.  "How Vitamin E Works."  11 January 2007.  HowStuffWorks.com. <http://recipes.howstuffworks.com/how-vitamin-e-works.htm>  06 September 2008.
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Vitamin E Deficiency

As we eat more processed foods the amount of vitamin E in our diet continues to plummet. On this page, we will show you risks of not getting enough vitamin E.

Vitamin E Requirements

An early sign of vitamin E deficiency are lipofuscin or age spots.
©2006 Publicaitons International, Ltd.
An early sign of vitamin E deficiency
 are lipofuscin or age spots.

The RDA (recommended daily allowance) for vitamin E is 15 mg of d-alpha-tocopherol for adult men and women (1 mg of d-alpha-tocopherol is equal to 1.5 IU, so the RDA is equal to 22.5 IU). Food and supplement labels usually list amounts of vitamin E in milligrams rather than international units.

Side Effects of Vitamin E Deficiency

No obvious symptoms accompany a vitamin E deficiency, making it hard to detect. A brownish pigmentation of the skin, called age spots or lipofuscin, may signal the problem, but only a blood test can confirm that vitamin E levels are too low.


When diseases of the liver, gall bladder, or pancreas reduce intestinal absorption, a mild deficiency of vitamin E can result. A diet of processed foods that's very low in fat might also cause a deficiency.

Vitamin E deficiency can occur in newborn babies, especially those born prematurely, because the mother doesn't transfer much vitamin E to the developing fetus until the last few weeks of pregnancy.

The deficiency can cause hemolytic anemia, a condition in which the red blood cells are so fragile they rupture.

As we mentioned earlier, it has become increasingly difficult a sufficient amount of vitamin E in our diet. In our final section, we will look at the safety and utility of vitamin E supplements.

Vitamin E is just one of the many vitamins that are part of a healthy diet. Check out the following links to learn more:
  • Vitamin A is the vitamin found in carrots that improves eyesight. Learn more in How Vitamin A Works.
  • B vitamins come in many different varieties and have a volume of health benefits. How B Vitamins Work explains everything in detail.
  • How Vitamin C Works will show you how this vitamin can strengthen your immune system and even fight cancer.
  • Your body can make its own vitamin D if you get enough sunshine. Learn more at How Vitamin D Works.
  • Vitamin K mostly affects the body's blood supply and the rate at which blood clots. How Vitamin K Works can tell you more.
  • To learn about the many vitamins in our diet, how much you should be eating, and where to find them, go to our general Vitamins page.
  • To find the best prices on vitamin E supplements, click here.
This information is solely for informational purposes. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. Neither the Editors of Consumer Guide (R), Publications International, Ltd., the author nor publisher take responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, procedure, exercise, dietary modification, action or application of medication which results from reading or following the information contained in this information. The publication of this information does not constitute the practice of medicine, and this information does not replace the advice of your physician or other health care provider. Before undertaking any course of treatment, the reader must seek the advice of their physician or other health care provider.

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