Introduction

Vit-E is a fat-soluble micronutrient chemically from two families: Tocotrienlos and Tocopherols.

Vit-E functions include:

  • Antioxidation in fat tissues (lipids)
  • Immunity regulation
  • Blood vessel elasticity & flow

Foods Naturally High in Vit-E include:
Seeds, nuts, vegetable oils, avocado, spinach and squash

Antioxidation in lipids

Oxidants refer to highly reactive molecules that steal electrons from other substances. Our body is exposed to oxidants from various sources including:

  • Radiation (energy hitting atoms in our body)
  • Mitochondria (by accidental electron transport chain)
  • Inflammation (during immune fights)
  • Pollutants (inhaled smoke, chemicals)

Vit-E neutralises oxidants by donating an electron and forming itself a stable radical that gets neutralised by the Vit-C.

Vit-E protects fat-soluble compartments whilst Vit-C protects water-soluble compartments of the body

Immune regulation

Vit-E structurally binds and blocks a few enzymes that drive biological pathways that modulate the immune system leading to:

  • T-helper cell Proliferation & Activation + Reduced chronic inflammation
  • Improved Dendritic cells Tumour antigen presentation
  • Boost Natural Killer Cell cytolytic activity (used against viral infections or tumour cells)

Blood Vessel elasticity & flow

Vit-E structurally inhibits Protein Kinase C and Phospholipase A2, two signalling enzymes. This leads to:

  • Blood Vessel Dilation - via an increase in concentration of Endothelial Nitric Oxide synthase (this enzyme produces Nitric Oxide, a vasodilator)
  • Decreased Aggregation of platelets - via downregulation of thromboxane and fibrinogen granules, two key components used for blood clots

References

Scientific articles from where we've produced the material in this page

  1. Hantikainen, E., & Lagerros, Y. T. (2023). Vitamin E – a scoping review for Nordic Nutrition Recommendations 2023. Food & Nutrition Research, 67. https://doi.org/10.29219/fnr.v67.10238
  2. Kaye, A. D., Thomassen, A. S., Mashaw, A. S., et al. (2025). Vitamin E (alpha-Tocopherol): Emerging clinical role and adverse risks of supplementation in adults. Cureus, 17(2), e78679. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.78679
  3. Zhang, T., Yi, X., Li, J., Zheng, X., Xu, H., Liao, D., & Ai, J. (2023). Vitamin E intake and multiple health outcomes: An umbrella review. Frontiers in Public Health, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1035674
  4. Ziegler, M., Wallert, M., Lorkowski, S., & Peter, K. (2020). Cardiovascular and metabolic protection by vitamin E: A matter of treatment strategy? Antioxidants, 9(10), 935. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox9100935

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