Advances in our understanding of vitamin E
Scott, M.L.
Federation Proceedings 39(10): 2736-2739
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0014-9446 PMID: 6997089 Document Number: 154906
Since vitamin E cannot be synthesized in the body, it is an essential, fat-soluble nutrient for animals and man. Vitamin E deficiency causes reproductive failure, nutritional myopathies and abnormalities of liver, blood, brain, pancreas and capillaries in experimental animals. Vitamin E functions metabolically as an antioxidant and interacts with selenium metabolism. Phospholipids of mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum and plasma membranes have specific affinities for alpha-tocopherol. Vitamin E locates at sites within these membranes to prevent or inhibit lipid peroxidation. Vitamin E deficiency reduces the membrane's ability to maintain normal metabolism or defend against environmental stress. Vitamin E supplementation may therefore help man to cope with disease. An RDA of 15 IU of vitamin E daily has been established as a minimum requirement in man, with supplemental amounts recommended for pregnant and lactating women, newborn infants and some older persons. However, most American diets do not provide adequate amounts of vitamin E.