Vitamin E 400iu

Vitamin E guides

What is vitamin E?

As a fat-soluble vitamin, vitamin E can be stored in the body – which means that it can be used as and when needed.

However, as with many other micronutrients and vitamins, the human body cannot produce vitamin E, so we need to get enough from our diet (and by topping up with vitamin E supplements, if necessary) to stay in the best of health.

Comprised of eight different compounds, vitamin E works to help protect cells from oxidative stress, which results from a range of everyday environmental factors.

Benefits of vitamin E. What is vitamin E good for?

Protecting the body from oxidative stress – which can occur daily, and which causes damage in our cells and tissues – is important for health and wellbeing.

Vitamin E contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress caused by environmental and lifestyle stressors like UV rays, pollutants, smoking, and heavy metals. As a result of this protective effect, vitamin E also has benefits for muscle fibres, the immune system and skin health.

Anyone with health concerns in these areas can consider a vitamin E capsule, tablet, or powder – particularly if you struggle to consistently eat a well-balanced, healthy diet.

Those going through the menopause may also be interested in the research done into vitamin E and menopausal symptoms – including hot flushes.

If you're not sure if you would benefit from vitamin E, the symptoms of vitamin E deficiency (although they are not always easy to spot) include lethargy and a lack of energy, irritability and poor concentration. Major deficiency can cause muscle weakness and lowered sex drive.

It's also worth noting that over time, even small amounts of oxidative stress can raise the risk of illnesses and lead to signs of premature ageing, so those with a healthy lifestyle still stand to benefit.

Where to get vitamin E

Vitamin E is found naturally in several healthy foods that are rich in good fats, including avocadoes, nuts, seeds, vegetable oils, and some green vegetables.

Fresh, raw foods are the best sources, as both cooking and storage methods (even exposure to air) can deplete food's vitamin E levels quite significantly. Even when frozen, foods can lose up to 70 per cent of their vitamin E content within 2 weeks, while processing cereals and grains removes over 90 per cent. Frying and roasting will result in almost 100 per cent losses.

As a result, vitamin E supplements can represent an excellent, guaranteed source for many people – either as standalone, concentrated vitamin E capsules like Healthspan Vitamin E 400iu, or as part of a multivitamin.

Vitamin E supplements

The recommended daily dose of vitamin E is 18iu (12mg) – although higher doses of 200iu and 400iu are commonly taken. Doses of up to 727mg (800iu) supplemental vitamin E may be taken daily, long-term, with no apparent ill effects.

It is recommended that high-dose vitamin E is best taken with other antioxidants, such as vitamin C and selenium. Both are perfect partners; selenium has a synergistic effect and helps support the health of hair and nails, as well as the immune system¹ while vitamin C is needed to regenerate vitamin E when it has carried out its antioxidant function.²

Very high doses can be toxic, causing symptoms like headache, fatigue, double vision, and gastrointestinal distress. This usually only occurs with doses of 3,000mg daily.

Healthspan's Vitamin E contains 268mg vitamin per capsule (equivalent to 400iu) in the natural dl-alpha-tocopherol form, and is available in two pack sizes: 90 capsules (perfect for first-time buyers) and the great-value 180-capsule size.

The formulation is suitable for vegetarians and vegans, and is ideal for anyone who doesn't get enough vitamin E from their diet, has a condition that reduces their ability to digest fat or to absorb nutrients from food, or who wishes to safeguard their antioxidant levels.

By choosing Healthspan's Vitamin E, which uses natural d-alpha-tocopherol (rather than the more commonly used synthetic form, dl-alpha-tocopherol, which the body is not able to use as effectively), you can enjoy the optimum benefits from every capsule.

Vitamin E can also be found in Healthspan's beauty supplements (including Hair & Nail Strengthener and Replenish Hair & Nails 50+) and skincare range, as many people also look for vitamin E to help keep their skin healthy. Read more about vitamin E for skin and nails during and after menopause.

It should be noted that vitamin E can interact with drugs like aspirin and warfarin, so it is important to consult your GP before adding any new supplements into your routine.

Subscribe & Save on vitamin E supplements

For the best results, all supplements need to be taken consistently, so we recommend putting your favourites on subscription, to help make your supplement routine simple and cost-effective.

Healthspan Subscribe & Save ensures that all your products are delivered automatically, at whatever interval you choose. With free delivery and savings on every pack, it's the cheapest way to receive your supplements all year round.

Find out more about Subscribe & Save. Alternatively, if you need any help or advice, our UK-based customer care team are on hand, so please do not hesitate to get in touch.

¹Vitamin E contributes to the maintenance of normal hair, contributes to maintenance of normal nails, the normal function of the immune system and contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress.

²Vitamin C contributes to the regeneration of the reduced form of vitamin E.