How Supplements Work
Vitamin E is necessary for the formation of the nucleus of each body cell, including RNA and DNA. It's also necessary as a protector: vitamin E is the most common antioxidant. Vitamins A, C, and D are less powerful antioxidants, as are selenium and sulfur-containing amino acids. When adequately supplied, vitamin E protects and prevents vitamin A, carotene, and the pituitary, adrenal and sex hormones from being destroyed in the body by oxygen. What often appears to be a vitamin A deficiency can actually be a vitamin E deficiency, since vitamin E is necessary to protect vitamin A. It also protects the essential fatty acids, which form part of the internal structure and wall of every cell in the body and also the connective tissue between all cells, from being broken down by oxygen.
In preventing this damage, vitamin E is used up, or destroyed. When a lack of vitamin E allows the essential fatty acids to combine with oxygen, they break down, causing the cell to disintegrate. The more oxygen present, the more rapidly the cells break down. When the cell walls are destroyed, viruses, bacteria, and allergens are allowed free access into the tissues. When these antigens get into the tissues, an allergic reaction may occur, even asthma.
Vitamin E is a primary defense against respiratory infection and disease. In fact, one common symptom of low vitamin E levels is respiratory difficulties. Other common symptoms include swelling of the face, ankles, or legs, poor skin condition, muscle cramps, and abnormal heartbeat.
Pollution can have a serious effect on a variety of body processes. Environmental pollution, for example, seems to defeat or otherwise interfere with the beneficial effects of antioxidants. Much of our fish comes from rivers, lakes, and waterways poisoned by sewage, chemicals, and a host of other pollutants. Shellfish, particularly, are prone to feed on this sewage and absorb it into their bodies. Fatty fish, as well, are more prone to absorb chemical pollutants and then pass them on to humans who eat them.
In addition to the obvious stresses environmental pollution causes, it also depletes our vitamin E supplies. Vitamin E is our major hedge against environmental stress. It helps dilute the harmful effects of drinking water containing lead, excess minerals such as sodium, or an otherwise unbalanced mineral content. Vitamin E as an antioxidant protects us from many types of contaminants simply by impeding the formation of compounds that lead to cellular destruction.
Sources: Wheat germ and wheat germ oil are superior sources of vitamin E. Whole grains, unrefined cereals, seeds, nuts, bran, and eggs are also excellent sources. Vegetable oils such as safflower oil are likely to have vitamin E if they have been refined only minimally. The best source for such scarcely refined oils---so-called cold-pressed oils---is natural foods from health food stores.
The active chemical ingredient in vitamin E is pure alpha-tocopherol. In a supplement, get natural vitamin E. There is some indication that the natural form is more active and therefore more useful than the synthetic variety. A good source is Puritan's Pride---vitamin E can be expensive, but Puritan's has the lowest prices for quality products. Make sure to get the natural rather than the synthetic form. I would suggest getting the d-alpha tocopheryl Natural Vitamin E softgels in the 400 unit size. (Just click on the logo on the left hand column to order.) For babies and children too young to swallow capsules, you can pierce them with a pin and squeeze the contents directly onto the tongue or onto food.
Vitamin E is never toxic in any amount. Suggested dosages for adults vary from 400 to 800 international units (IU), to 1,000 units or more. Some nutritionists and doctors recommend higher daily dosages. This could be cut in half for children. It's impossible to say exactly how much vitamin E a person needs; it all depends on the amount of toxins the person is exposed to, both within and outside the body. Remember, vitamin E is used up in doing its work. The vitamin should be taken with the largest meal, particularly a meal containing fat, as vitamin E is fat soluble and needs fat to insure absorption from the intestines.