Nutrition

Vitamin E

almond
olive oil
cranberry juice
peanut butter

What is it?

Dl-alpha tocopherol acetate is one of the chemical forms of vitamin E.

Why is it important?

Vitamin E is an antioxidant, protecting the cells from the damaging effects of free radicals. It is also involved in supporting the immune system, developing the nervous system and producing red blood cells.*

Vitamin E helps the body use vitamin K.*

What myths are there?

Many supplements claim that vitamin E is important for preventing wrinkles and slowing the aging process, given its antioxidant properties. However, there is not enough clinical data yet to support these claims.*

What’s the risk of deficiency?

It is estimated that 90% of American adults do not meed the estimated average requirement (EAR) for vitamin E.

The developing nervous system in children is particularly vulnerable to vitamin E deficiency, potentially causing irreversible neurological systems. As a result, we think it is important to include in our vitamins.*

How much is recommended?

The FDA currently recommended daily intake (RDI) for iodine is 30 IU (20 mg) for children age 4 and older. For children ages 3 and younger, the recommended daily intake is 10 IU (7 mg).

The Food and Nutrition Board at the US Institute of Medicine current recommended daily allowance (RDA) for vitamin D is as follows:

  • 0-6 months: 4 mg (adequate intake)
  • 7-12 months: 5 mg (adequate intake)
  • 1-3 years: 6 mg
  • 4-8 years: 7 mg
  • 9-13 years: 11 mg
  • 14+ years: 15 mg

Adequate Intake is used when evidence is insufficient to develop an RDA; intake at this level is assumed to ensure nutritional adequacy.

What foods are rich sources?

Nuts, seeds and vegetable oils are the best sources of vitamin E. Green leafy vegetables are also good sources.

  • 1/4 cup almonds (roasted): 6.8 mg
  • 1 Tablespoon safflower oil: 4.6 mg
  • 2 Tablespoon olive oil: 3.8 mg
  • 1 cup cranberry juice: 3 mg
  • 2 Tablespoon peanut butter: 2.9 mg

What’s the risk of getting too much?

There is currently research examining the risk of excessive vitamin E impairing blood clotting, when taken in doses at 30-50x the recommended daily intake (RDI).

We recommend you seek the advice of your pediatrician or primary medical care provider before making changes to your child’s nutrient intake.

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

References

  • Traber MG. Vitamin E. In: Shils ME, Shike M, Ross AC, Caballero B, Cousins R, eds. Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease. 10th ed. Baltimore, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2006;396-411.
  • Traber MG. Vitamin E regulatory mechanisms. Annu Rev Nutr 2007;27:347-62. Sen CK, Khanna S, Roy S. Tocotrienols: vitamin E beyond tocopherols. Life Sci 2006;78:2088-98.
  • Dietrich M, Traber MG, Jacques PF, Cross CE, Hu Y, Block G. Does γ-tocopherol play a role in the primary prevention of heart disease and cancer? A review. Am J Coll Nutr 2006;25:292-9.
  • Verhagen H, Buijsse B, Jansen E, Bueno-de-Mesquita B. The state of antioxidant affairs. Nutr Today 2006;41:244-50.
  • Institute of Medicine. Food and Nutrition Board. Dietary Reference Intakes: Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Selenium, and Carotenoids. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 2000. Food and Nutrition Board. Recommended Dietary Allowances, 7th ed. Washington, DC: National Academy of Sciences; 1968.
  • Food and Drug Administration. Food labeling: Revision of the Nutrition and Supplement Facts labels. Federal Register 2016;81:33741-999.
  • U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. 2011. USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 24. Nutrient Data Laboratory Home Page
  • Brion LP, Bell EF, Raghuveer TS. Vitamin E supplementation for prevention of morbidity and mortality in preterm infants. Cochrane Database Syst Rev;4:CD003665.
  • Kowdley KV, Mason JB, Meydani SN, Cornwall S, Grand RJ. Vitamin E deficiency and impaired cellular immunity related to intestinal fat malabsorption. Gastroenterology 1992;102:2139-42.
  • National Institute of Health. Vitamin E Health Information. 2017.