Vitamin E and Your Health

Vitamin E is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory found in many foods and available as supplements to promote optimal health.

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin and is a natural component in many of the foods that you eat, such as nuts, seeds, green leafy vegetables, fortified cereals and soybeans. Vitamin E is beneficial for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which help to reduce free radicals and to increase the immune system. Taking vitamin E is not a substitute for medical treatment; consult with your health care provider to discuss any potential risks.

Vitamin E contains a collective group of fat-soluble compounds, all with distinctive antioxidant properties. According to the National Institutes of Health, vitamin E exists naturally in eight chemical forms; alpha-, beta-, gamma- and delta-tocopheraol and alpha-, beta-, gamma- and delta-tocotrienol. Alpha-tocophrol is the only form recognized as meeting human requirements, says the National Institutes of Health, or NIH.
How is Vitamin E Important?

Vitamin E is an antioxidant that destroys free radicals, which are harmful compounds in your body that damage deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA, which is important genetic material, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. In addition, vitamin E plays a role in the formation of blood cells and helps the body to use vitamin K, which aids in your body’s ability to clot blood. (Reference 2)


Article:
http://vitamins-minerals.suite101.com/article.cfm/vitamin-e-and-your-health