Vitamin E: Benefits, Sources

Vitamin E is a wonder drug! It can treat a range of problems of the heart and blood including blocked arteries, high blood pressure, hardened arteries in the leg, varicose veins, diabetes and related complications, and nerve including Alzheimer’s diseases and dementia. Vitamin E is also beneficial for the eyes, safety of the fetus in the womb, women’s health, and impotence in men.

It is also commonly used to heal parched and dehydrated skin and is increasingly found in all pharmaceutically produced skin care products. Vitamin E or alpha-tocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant that is predominantly found in green leafy vegetables, nuts and seeds, seafood, and fruits.

Its supplements are prescribed when your body is, for some reason, unable to absorb the nutrient from your regular diet. Topical application of Vitamin E can be in the form of an oil extract used on your skin and in your hair for growth and nourishment.

Vitamin E benefits –
Acts As A Moisturizer —
  • It restores and rejuvenates dehydrated skin. It is an oil-soluble nutrient and is hence heavier than water-soluble products. It works best for dry and damaged skin since it restores the lost moisture.
Reverses Premature Skin Aging —
  • It thwarts all chances of your skin becoming dull, wrinkled, and saggy.
  • It boosts the production of collagen, a fiber-like protein that is responsible for maintaining skin elasticity. It thereby reduces the occurrence of fine lines and wrinkles that are signs of aging.
Treats Sunburns —
  • it is also known to lead to quick recovery from sunburns. It contains antioxidants that neutralize the effects of free radicals caused by ultraviolet radiation, thus soothing sunburns
Lightens Dark Spots —
  • Dark spots can be attributed to a variety of factors such as free radical damage, aging, liver problems, etc. Vitamin E can alleviate such problems.
  • It is an enriched source of free radical fighting antioxidants. These antioxidants reduce free radical damage that may have resulted in the hyperpigmentation leading to spots.
Acts as a cleansing agent —
  • It also helps cleanse dirt, grime, and other impurities while simultaneously maintaining your skin’s oil balance.
  • It is a heavy emollient, which makes it easy to remove impurities from the surface of your skin as well as maintain its oil balance
Heals Dry Finger Nails —
  • Its oil is an effective treatment for dry, cracked cuticles and nails.
  • The oil, being a great moisturizer, is suitable for application on dry nails and cuticles. Thus, it protects your skin.
Treatment of stretch marks —
  • The oil is beneficial post delivery since it helps fade stretch marks. Stretch marks appear owing to skin losing its elasticity because of the stretching of the upper and lower layers of the skin.
  • They manifest as white stripe-like marks. The oil is known to restore skin elasticity and lighten stretch marks
Soothes Pain from cold sores —
  • The oil is known to take the bite off painful cold sores.
  • This oil acts as a lip moisturizer and is extremely effective in getting rid of dryness resulting from a cold sore and its eruption, thereby providing relief from the stinging sensation that accompanies it
Stimulates Hair growth
  • It repairs damaged hair follicles and encourages healthy hair growth.
  • The oil contains antioxidants that improve the circulation of blood to all parts of the body, including the scalp. It conditions your hair from the root to the shaft and ensures healthier growth.
Prevents Premature Graying –
  • The oil is very effective in slowing down the aging process, be it your skin or hair.
  • The potent antioxidants present in this Vitamin E can effectively prevent the corrosion of tissues, thereby reducing the probability of premature graying.
Gives Lustrous Hair —
  • Oiling your hair with the oil on a regular basis deeply conditions the hair and makes it healthier and shinier than before. It is a natural moisturizer that keeps your scalp in good condition.
Repairs Split Ends —
  • Split ends and other damages caused due to constant blow drying, curling, and coloring are some of the common problems associated with hair.
  • The Vitamin E helps strengthen and smoothen the cuticles of your hair, thereby reducing instances of splitting and breakage.
Treat minor burns —
  • Vitamin E oil has remarkable curative powers. It has the ability to heal wounds caused by small burns.
Lightens Scars —
  • It is considered to be a superior treatment option for the removal of scars caused due to burns or acne.
  • The oil will penetrate deep into the skin to repair the scar tissue at the source, thereby helping to diminish the appearance of blemishes
Prevents Skin Cancer —
  • The powerful antioxidants present in Vitamin E act as a protective shield against the harmful effects of the sun that cause the multiplication of cancerous cells
Treats other Skin disorders —
  • Vitamin E proves to be an effective treatment for skin diseases like eczema and psoriasis. It keeps your skin supple and combats the dryness of eczema and restores skin elasticity.
  • Vitamin E can also restore the mechanism of skin regeneration, thereby effectively treating psoriasis.
Reduces The Effects Of Bad Cholesterol —
  • Including Vitamin E oil in your diet supports the heart, which in turn ensures a long and healthy life. The accumulation of bad cholesterol in the arteries causes the heart to pump harder to circulate the blood, thereby increasing the risk of a heart attack.
  • Vitamin E oil negates the effects of bad cholesterol by disallowing it to oxidize and prevents it from lining up the arteries.
Build Up Immune System —
  • Vitamin E has good quantities of antioxidant properties. Antioxidants remove any free radicals from the body. Immunity levels improve and thereby, and you will feel better and fall sick lesser
Makes Skin Soft —
  •  The antioxidants in the oil protect the cells in the skin and prevent the formation of the new free radicals which can easily damage skin
Removes Brown Spots —
  • The brown dark spots that are caused due to the production of melanin and aging can be effectively reduced with application of Vitamin E. Vitamin E oil has the strength to repair the skin and prevent the spots.
Food Sources of Vitamin E –
  • Sunflower Seeds
  • Avocado
  • Spinach
  • Almonds
  • Parsley
  • Wheat Germ Oil
  • Peanut Butter
  • Hazelnuts
  • Dried Apricots
  • Kiwi
  • Capsicum
  • Wheat
  • Papaya
  • Broccoli
  • Tomato
  • Olives
Risks Of Deficiency —

Deficiencies of Vitamin E manifest in the form of:

  • Dryness of skin
  • Cataract
  • Mild anemia
  • Decreased sex drive
  • Reproductive and fertility issues
  • Leg cramps
  • Gastrointestinal problems
Risks Of Over Consumption —

Its usage mostly includes oral consumption or topical application. When consuming orally, it is advisable to limit the dosage to 15 mg daily. Exceeding this limit might cause serious side effects. Also, people with the following health problems should avoid consumption of oral Vitamin E supplements:

  • Diabetes — Vitamin E can increase the risks of heart failure in people suffering from diabetes.
  • Low Vitamin K Levels — It can worsen clotting problems in case of Vitamin K deficiency.
  • History Of Cardiac Issues — Vitamin E can increase the risks of heart attack among people with a history of heart-related problems.
  • Heart And Neck Cancer — People suffering from cancer of the neck or heart should avoid taking more than 400 IU Vitamin E per day.
  • Retinitis Pigmentosa — Synthetic Vitamin E supplements can speed up vision loss among patients with retinitis pigmentosa. A lower (3 IU/day) and controlled dosage is, however, harmless.

 

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