Vitamin E: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use it

What is vitamin E?

What are the benefits of vitamin E for the body?

Vitamin E is a vitamin that has various functions, including for skin health, fertility, and overall health. This supplement can also be given to treat or prevent vitamin E deficiency. People with certain diseases may also need supplements.

This vitamin is fat soluble and is important for various processes in the body. This vitamin is also an antioxidant that occurs naturally in some foods. Some types of foods rich in vitamin E are:

• spinach
• almond nut
• avocado
• sunflower seed
• asparagus
• peanuts
• salmon
• Kiwi
• broccoli

What are the benefits of vitamin E?

Here are the various benefits of vitamin E that you can get:

1. Increase endurance

Vitamin E is included in vitamins that are useful for maintaining endurance. This vitamin contains antioxidants that help protect the body from damage to cells due to free radicals.

2. Maintain the respiratory system

Apart from the immune system, vitamin E also provides benefits for your respiratory system.

According to European Respiratory Journal, This vitamin contains anti-inflammatory substances that can prevent inflammation of the lungs. In addition, the alpha-tocopherol content in this vitamin is also beneficial for improving lung function.

3. Good for fertility

Another benefit of vitamin E is that it helps maintain fertility, both in men and women.

A research on The Journal of Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine mention the benefits of vitamin E for uterine health. In the study, it was explained that women who took this vitamin experienced an increase in the thickness of the uterine wall.

The uterine wall that is too thin reduces the chances of a fetus forming in the womb. In addition, the thin uterine wall has the potential to increase the risk of miscarriage.

4. Maintain healthy hair

You can also maintain healthy hair with vitamin E. Quoted from Medical News Today, the antioxidant content in this vitamin helps hair growth and treats the scalp.

How do you take vitamin E?

These nutrients work best when taken after meals. Follow the rules for taking the medication given by your doctor or pharmacist. Always read the instructions for drug use before using this vitamin.

Measure the liquid dose with the measuring cup provided, measuring spoon, or medicine cup provided. If you do not have a device to measure the dose of medicine, ask your pharmacist.

Artificial sweeteners can contain phenylalanine. Check the drug label if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).

A person's need for this vitamin will increase with age. Follow the instructions of your doctor and healthcare professional.

If you need surgery or a medical procedure, tell the surgeon that you are taking this vitamin. You may need to stop taking them for some time.

Do not use this medication for more than the recommended dose, lower the dose, or for longer than the recommended dose. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How do you store this vitamin?

Vitamin E is best stored at room temperature and away from direct light and damp areas. Don't store it in the bathroom or freeze it.

Other brands containing vitamin E may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush vitamins down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when the drug has expired or when it is no longer needed.

Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal agency about how to safely dispose of your medicine.

Vitamin E dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dosage of Vitamin E for adults?

Based on recommendations from the National Institures of Health in America, here are the recommended dosages for adolescents and adults:

• Age 14-18 years: 15 mg daily, maximum dose 800 mg daily
• Ages 19 years and over: 15 mg daily, maximum dose 1,000 mg daily

What is the dosage of Vitamin E for children?

The following are the dosages recommended for children:

• 0-6 months of age: 4 mg daily
• Age 7-12 months: 5 mg daily
• Age 1-3 years: 6 mg daily, maximum dose 200 mg daily
• Age 4-8 years: 7 mg daily, maximum dose 300 mg daily
• Age 9-13 years: 11 mg daily, maximum dose 600 mg daily

In what form is this vitamin available?

The following are the forms and preparations of vitamin E:

• Syrup or liquid / solution
• Tablet
• Capsules, filled with liquid
• Chewable tablets
• Powder for brewing
• Capsule

Vitamin E side effects

What side effects can be experienced due to vitamin E?

Seek immediate medical help if you experience the following signs of an allergic reaction:

• itchy rash
• difficulty breathing
• swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat

Stop taking this vitamin and contact your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• headache, dizziness, vision changes
• the head felt relaxed as if it was about to pass out
• unusual fatigue and weakness
• diarrhea, stomach cramps
• bruising and bleeding easily (nosebleeds, bleeding gums)

The more common side effects include:

• nausea
• tired feeling
• headache
• mild skin rash

Not everyone experiences this side effect. There may be some side effects not listed above.

If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Warning and attention

What should be known before using vitamin E?

Before deciding to take vitamin E, you need to pay attention to several things. The following conditions must be considered:

Certain drugs and diseases

Tell your doctor about any medications you are taking, whether prescription, non-prescription, supplements, or herbal medicines. This is because several types of drugs may interact with this vitamin.

In addition, it is also important to inform your doctor about any diseases or other health conditions that you are currently suffering from. It is possible that this drug can trigger interactions with certain diseases or health conditions.

Allergy

Tell your doctor if you have a history of allergies to this vitamin or any of the ingredients in this medicine. Also, get checked to see if you have any other allergies, for example to certain foods, dyes, or animals.

Children

There have been no reports of problems in children who take the normal daily dose of vitamin E as recommended.

You should check with your doctor if you are giving your baby formula milk without added nutrients. In this case, your baby will have to get the necessary vitamins by other means.

Some research suggests that babies born prematurely may have low vitamin E levels.

Elderly

There have been no reports of problems in elderly people taking this vitamin at the normal recommended dosage.

Is this vitamin safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There is no adequate research on the risks of using the drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this supplement.

This supplement is included in the pregnancy risk category A according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = Not at risk
• B = No risk in several studies
• C = May be risky
• D = There is positive evidence of risk
• X = Contraindicated
• N = Unknown

Interaction

What medicines might interact with vitamin E?

Drug interactions can change the performance of your medications or increase the risk of serious side effects. Not all possible drug interactions are listed in this document.

Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription / non-prescription drugs and herbal products) and consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without your doctor's approval.

The following are some of the drugs that may interact with this vitamin:

• dicumarol
• warfarin
• colestyramine
• colestipol

Can food or alcohol interact with vitamin E?

Certain drugs should not be used when eating certain foods because drug-food interactions can occur.

Smoking tobacco or consuming alcohol with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur.

Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider.

What health conditions can interact with this vitamin?

Any other health conditions you have can affect the use of this supplement.

Always tell your doctor if you have other health problems, especially bleeding problems.

Vitamin E, if taken in doses greater than 800 units per day for a sufficiently long period of time, can make this condition worse.

Vitamin E overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (118 or 119) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

The following are symptoms of a drug overdose that you need to be aware of:

• nausea
• throws up
• dizzy
• lost balance
• numbness and tingling
• convulsions

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose in one drink.