Vitamin E (Tocopherols)
A fat-soluble antioxidant that protects cell membranes from oxidation. Valuable from food — but surprisingly risky as an isolated high-dose supplement.
How it works
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble antioxidant that mainly protects the lipids in cell membranes from oxidation (going rancid). It comprises several forms (tocopherols and tocotrienols) that differ in effect. Isolated deficiency is rare; high isolated doses of alpha-tocopherol are likely not beneficial.
Dosage
Needs are well met via nuts, seeds, and vegetable oils. High-dose single-tocopherol supplements are best avoided.
Considerations
An important caveat: high-dose vitamin E supplements have been linked in meta-analyses to slightly increased all-cause mortality (Miller 2005), and the SELECT trial showed an increased prostate-cancer risk. A classic case of 'good from food, harmful isolated and high-dose'. Note a blood-thinning effect at high doses.
