Vitamin E

A recent study found that more than 11 percent of American adults routinely consume at least 400 IU of Vitamin E on a daily basis. The study also found that about 25 percent took supplements that contained lower amounts of vitamin E so concluded that high-dose vitamin E supplementation is common.1

The RDA for vitamin E is 22.5 IU’s for adults.2

Vitamin E deficiency is rare and the nutrient is found in many food sources including plant oils (vegetable oils and margarine) leafy green vegetables, whole grains, liver, egg yolk, milk, nuts, seeds and butter.

There are potential health risks in high doses of vitamin E. A recent meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials found that the intake of vitamin E, of at least 400 IU per day from supplements was associated with a small increase in mortality from all causes.3

 

References:

  1. Ford ES, Ajani UA, Mokdad AH. Brief Communication:The Prevalence of High Intake of Vitamin E from the Use of Supplement amoung U.S. Adults. Ann Intern Med. 2005;143:116-120.
  2. http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/vitamine.asp Assessed 7/28/05
  3. Miller ER 3rd, Pastor-Barriuso R, Dalal D, Riemersma RA, Appel LJ, Guallar E. Meta-analysis:high-dosage vitamin E supplementation may increase all-cause mortality. Ann Intern Med. 2005;142:37-46.