VITAMIN E

A Presentation by
 INTRODUCTION
VITAMINS may be regarded as organic
compounds required in the diet in small
amounts to perform specific biological
functions for normal maintenance of
optimum growth and health of the organism.

vitamins

Fat Water
soluble soluble
Vit-
A,D,E,K vit – B,C ,P
 VITAMIN-E
 Vitamin E is a generic term for tocopherols
and tocotrienols Vitamin E is a family of α-,
β-, γ-, and δ- (respectively: alpha, beta,
gamma, and delta) tocopherols. Vitamin E is
a fat-soluble antioxidant that stops the
production of reactive oxygen species formed
when fat undergoes oxidation Of these, α-
tocopherol (also written as alpha-tocopherol)
has been most studied as it has the highest
bioavailability.It is also known as anti-
sterility vitamin.
 HISTORY
 Evans & Bishop(1922) first observed that a
fat soluble factor present in normal
reproduction of rat, named as vitamin-E.
 Evans & his co workers isolated the
compounds of vit-E activity & named them as
Tocopherols Greek words for childbirth
(tos), to bring forth (phero) ,alcohol (ol).
 CHEMISTRY
 About eight tocopherols have been
identified-α-, β-, γ-, and δ etc.
 Among thees α-tocopherol is the most
active.it is the derevatives of 6-hydroxy
chromane (tocol) ring with isoprenoid(3units)
side chain.
 Antioxidant property due to the chromane
ring.

(The α-tocopherol form of vitamin E)

 ABSORPTION, STORAGE
 Vit-E is absorbed along with fat in the small
intestine. bile salts are necessery for the
absorption.
 In liver it is incorporated into lipoprotiens
(VLDL & LDL) & transported.
 It is stored in adipose tissue ,liver & muscels.
 • Dosage: 10 mg/day for the adult man, 8
mg/day for the adult woman, and 3 mg/day
for the infant
 BIOCHEMICAL FUNCTIONS
 The most important function of vitamin E is to
maintain the integrity of the body's
intracellular membrane by protecting its
physical stability and providing a defense line
against tissue damage caused by(non
enzymetic oxidation) molecular oxygen & free
radicals such as supraoxide & hydrogen
peroxide.
 It also protects the unsaturated fatty
acids(PUFA) from peroxidation reaction.vit-E
itself get oxidised by free radicals & spares
UFA.
 Vit-E preserves & maintains germinal
epethelium of gonads for proper
reproductive purpouse.
 It increase the synthesis of heme by
activating the enzyme ALA synthase & ALA
dehydratase.
 Vit-E prevents the oxidation of vit-A &
carotenes.
 It protects liver dameging by carbon
tetrachlorides.
 Vitamin E and heart disease - Vitamin E
helps protect against heart disease by
limiting the oxidation of LDL-cholesterol.
Vitamin E helps prevent oxidation of
lipoproteins, particularly in smokers, and
reduces the stickiness of platelets in the
bloodstream. Vitamin E also keeps arteries
flexible and elastic, allowing blood to flow
freely.
 Vitamin E and cancer - Some cancers are
believed to result from oxidative damage to
DNA caused by free radicals. Free radicals
can damage DNA, leading to mutations in
cells that may cause cancer. Antioxidants
such as vitamin E help protect against the
damaging effects of free radicals. The
vitamin may also help fight cancer by
boosting the immune system
 Vitamin E and alzheimer's disease -
Alzheimer's disease is a wasting disease of
the brain. Oxidative stress is believed to
contribute to the development of Alzheimer's
disease. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that
prevents free radical damage in biological
membranes.
 • Sources: vegetable oils and products made
from these oils, wheat germ, nuts and green
leafy vegetables, meat , milk , peanut butter
& eggs.
 • Deficiency: vitamin E deficiency affects the
central nervous system and may result in
progressive neuromuscular disease ,liver atropy
, RBC hemolysis.
 • Overdose: vitamin E is least toxic than
others. overdose may interfere with the body's
ability to clot blood, posing a risk to people
taking blood thinners (anticoagulants).
THANK
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