We are back with our vitamin series, and this time with vitamin E.
This is a very short, sweet and to the point read. And after it you should be confident in knowing what vitamin E is, what it does in our bodies, and where you can find it in food.
Let's get started with what vitamin E is.
What is vitamin E?
It has been established that vitamin E is a fat soluble vitamin, and if you need a refresher on what those are, than check out the previous fat soluble vitamin articles.
Vitamin E is unique in that it is not just one single vitamin. Rather it is a group of different compounds. The entire vitamin E family includes 4 tocopherols and 4 tocotrienols. However, the main form of vitamin E is called a alpha(a)-tocopherol.
What does it do for us?
Vitamin E has many roles in the body to ensure we can function in our daily lives. For example, it serves as a antioxidant, it aids in cell signaling, helps with blood clot formation to stop wounds, assists in the immune system, and also vasodilation (making blood vessels wider so blood moves easier through circulation).
Vitamin E may also play a role in maintaining male and female fertility.
As you can see, vitamin E has many responsibilities.
In fact, there is even more research going into studying the antioxidant effects vitamin E has on cancer prevention and treatment.
What foods contain vitamin E?
Vitamin E is found in mostly plant sources such as nuts, seeds, leafy green vegetables, and vegetable oils (sorry for those who are anti-vegetable and seed oils). However, higher fat animal products can provide some vitamin E as well. For example fatty meat and fish, some poultry, and eggs and dairy products. But there is not a substantial amount in animal sources, unless products like dairy are fortified with vitamin E.
Vitamin E is primarily known for its anti-oxidant capabilities. However, like many other vitamins and minerals, it serves multiple purposes. Since it is a fat soluble vitamin, it is stored and best digested and absorbed by eating fat. Thus, foods that have a decent fat content are likely to provide you with some vitamin E.
However, to ensure you are getting enough vitamin E, and other vitamins for that matter, focus on eating a wide variety of whole foods. Foods that are minimally processed will contain the most nutrients and should be the foundation of any eating style.
Next up, will be our last fat soluble vitamin, vitamin K.
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