What is it?

It is a fat-soluble vitamin known primarily as a powerful antioxidant. It protects cells, blood vessels, organs, eyes and tissues from free radical damage. Vitamin E also plays a role in regulating metabolism in the cell.

It works together with other fat-soluble vitamins, such as A, D and K.

Different forms:

It is a collective name for substances naturally present in food: the tocopherols.
- Alpha-tocopherol (main form, best absorbed)
- Beta-tocopherol
- Gamma-tocopherol
- Delta-tocopherol

Alpha-tocopherol or alpha-tocopherol acetate is usually used in supplements.

💡 On supplement labels, the content is sometimes indicated in IU or IU. 1 IU = 0.67 mg

What's in it?

It can be found mainly in:
- Vegetable oils (e.g., sunflower oil, olive oil)
- Nuts and seeds
- Bread and cereal products
- Fruits and vegetables

⚠️ Please note that halvarine and margarine often contain trans fats. Although enriched with it, trans fats are harmful to heart and blood vessels. Therefore, prefer to choose vegetable oils, nuts and seeds as natural sources of vitamin E.

👉 When heated, some of it is lost, but enough usually remains in food.

What do you need it for?

It has multiple functions in the body:
- As an antioxidant, protects cells, cell wall, bloodstream and tissues
- Plays a role in regulating metabolism in the cell

How much per day and too much

- An upper limit of 1,000 mg per day has been set.
- An excess is called toxicity and can lead to health problems.

Possible consequences of too much:
- Inhibition of blood clotting in people with vitamin K deficiency or when using blood thinners.
- Storage in adipose tissue because it is a fat-soluble vitamin.

Shortage of:

A shortage hardly ever occurs in the Netherlands. Only in cases of severe absorption problems can a shortage occur.

Possible symptoms of deficiency:
- Anemia
- Neurological complaints
- Muscle weakness

Vitamin E | Nutrition Center

Spiritual meaning ✨

It is often associated with the heart chakra (Anahata) 💚. It symbolizes protection, loving energy and joy of life. Just as it protects cells from damage, spiritually it can protect your aura and inner self from negative influences.