Vitamin E, taken as a supplement, provides essential antioxidant protection. It is a fat-soluble vitamin that supports many body processes. It’s important to seek out the all-natural version of this vitamin, which can be up to twice as potent as the synthetic variety.
What is an antioxidant?
Antioxidants remove oxidizing agents from within your body. These are potentially harmful, so taking an antioxidant like Vitamin E can prevent or delay certain kinds of damage within your body.
Vitamin E is an antioxidant. You may see it listed as d-alpha-tocopherol or something similar on your food packaging.
What does Vitamin E do?
Perhaps the most important thing Vitamin E is doing for your body is protecting your cells from free radicals. Antioxidants are your best defense, and it is recommended that you eat 5-8 servings of antioxidant rich foods or include a supplement – like Vitamin E – to combat them.
A free radical is an unstable atom in your body, created when you’re metabolizing food, or from exposure to pollutants, radiation, smoke and some chemical herbicides. Free radicals cause a chain reaction, creating more free radicals, and if your body doesn’t have the antioxidants available to combat that reaction, you can see damage on a cellular level. Free radical damage doesn’t go away, either; it accumulates over time, leading to cell aging, which can affect your health and your appearance.
Vitamin E also boosts your body’s immune system responses, aiding you in fighting off bacterial and viral infections. It can have an impact on your blood health, as well.
How do you know if you’re getting enough Vitamin E?
A Vitamin E deficiency is quite rare, particularly in healthy people. However, it is a common affliction for people with Crohn’s disease, cystic fibrosis, and diseases that affect the ability of the body to absorb and store fat.
Even if you are healthy, you can enjoy the benefits of a Vitamin E supplement.
