Vitamin E is a group of 8 fat-soluble compounds. It acts as an antioxidant and protects the cells against free radicals. It plays an important role in immune system and metabolism process. It helps maintain the integrity of cell membranes throughout the body. It has the greatest nutritional significance.
Vitamin E plays an important role in neurological function and immune system by keeping it strong to fight against viruses and infections. As it is a fat-soluble it protect its cell membranes from oxidative damage. It helps to prevent or delay certain chronic diseases that are associated with free radicals.
Vitamin E can be obtained from foods like wheat germ, green leafy vegetables, fish, meat, vegetable oils, whole wheat products, nuts, cereals, egg yolks etc.
Deficiency of vitamin E leads to heart diseases, nerve damage, night-blindness, blindness, some cancers, red blood destruction, skeletal myopathy, retinopathy, impairment of immune response, increase the risk of infections, retina related problems.
Vitamin E supplements consumed for a long time can cause nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain and vomiting. Vitamin E supplements are not advised to those people who are already under medication because the drugs and the effects from vitamin E may react with one another and cause adverse effects.
People with cancer and under chemotherapy/radiation therapy should take the advice of the doctor before taking the supplements of vitamin E.