Vitamin E

Vitamin E

• Eight compounds divided into two classes

– Tocopherols
– Tocotrienols
• Found in plant foods
– Nuts, nut butters, seeds, and plant oils
– High-fat meats (inferior sources)
• Destroyed by air, light, and heat
Vitamin E Structure
 Vitamin E Digestion and Absorption
• Digestion
– Tocopherols do not require digestion
– Tocotrienols and synthetic esters require digestion by
pancreatic and intestinal esterases
• Absorption
– Absorption by passive (simple) diffusion in jejunum
– Since fat-soluble, optimal absorption when consumed with fat
– Absorption rate varies from 20-70%
• Alpha-tocopherol is the most active form in body
• The synthetic form in supplements is only half as
active as the natural form
– Improved with simultaneous absorption of dietary lipids
 Vitamin E Transport

• Transport
– Initially transported by chylomicrons
– Also transported by other lipoproteins, including LDLs,
HDLs and VLDLs
 Vitamin E Storage

• Storage
– Adipose tissue is primary storage site

– When vitamin E intake is high, excess stored in adipose

tissue

– When vitamin E intake is low, stores pulled from storage

sites OTHER than adipose tissue
Vitamin E Functions and Mechanisms of Action

• Antioxidant role
– Maintains membrane integrity of cells
– Free radical termination
– Singlet molecular oxygen destruction

• Vitamin E and heart disease

– May inhibit oxidation of LDL and prevent blood clots
– Benefits of supplementation unproven
 Free Radicals/Reactive Oxygen Species

• When one electron is added to oxygen an unstable

oxygen species or free radical is formed

• The oxygen has an unpaired electron

 Free Radicals/Reactive Oxygen Species
• The average adult consumes about 250g of oxygen
each day and approximately 4% forms a free radical
called superoxide which is lipophillic (loves lipids)
and has a relatively long half life
• Superoxide can be generated when oxygen gains
an electron leaked from the electron transport chain
during energy metabolism
Increased (free radicals)
 smoking
 obesity
 UV light/ X-rays
 heavy metal like lead
 aerobic activity
 pollution
Vitamin E Functions and Mechanisms of Action

• Vitamin E and cancer

– Majority of supplementation trials show no benefit in
reducing cancer risk
• Vitamin E and eye health
– Most studies have not reported benefits
• Vitamin E and other diseases/conditions
– Alzheimer’s
– Scar formation
Vitamin E Functions and Mechanisms of Action

• Endothelial cells: adhesion, NO

production, superoxide production
• Smooth muscle cells: proliferation
• Macrophages: adhesion, invasion,
signaling recruitment, ROS production
• Platelets: adhesion, aggregation, clotting
 Vitamin E

• Interactions with other nutrients

– Selenium, vitamin C
– Polyunsaturated FAs
– High intake of vitamin E can interfere with other fat-
soluble vitamins
• Metabolism and excretion
– Requires cytochrome P-450
– Several metabolites excreted in urine
and also bile
 Vitamin E Requirements
• Recommended Dietary Allowance
– Adults (including pregnancy)
 15 mg -tocopherol
• Deficiency
Individuals at risk
– Conditions related to fat malabsorption
– Genetic defects
Symptoms
– Hemolytic anemia
– Neurological symptoms
– Muscle pain and weakness
• Toxicity
– UL = 1,000 mg -tocopherol
– Toxicity is rare but may cause GI distress or impaired bleeding
 Toxicity

• Toxicity
– Intakes above UL of 1000 mg (1 g)
– Toxicity is rare but may cause GI distress or impaired
bleeding
– Mild gastrointestinal symptoms (with 200-800 mg)
– Increased bleeding due to impaired blood coagulation,
Muscle weakness, double vision
Food Sources of Vitamin E
Dietary Sources: Primarily plant foods
Serving size α-tocopherol
 Vitamin E Assessment of Nutriture

• Plasma concentrations
– Less than 5 mg/L: deficient
– Above 20 mg/L: possible toxicity
• Erythrocyte hemolysis test