Check dose before taking vitamin E

Dear Dr. Donya,

I'd like to consume Vitamin E. Do you have any idea which one is good for me. For your information, I'm 34 years old.

Thank you so much for your reply.

-- Anna

Dear Anna,

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin that protects red blood cells and is important in reproduction. It has antioxidant properties, helping to prevent cell damage by neutralizing free radicals molecules believed to be associated with aging and certain diseases.

It is important to remember that there is not enough evidence yet to recommend vitamin E supplements for the general population.

You should be cautious of using vitamin E if you are taking blood-thinning (anticoagulant) medications, if you have iron deficiency anemia, bleeding or clotting problems, intestinal problems or liver disease. If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, do not take vitamin E more than recommended dietary allowance (RDA).

Side effects of taking too much vitamin E are dizziness, fatigue, headache, weakness, abdominal pain, diarrhea, flu-like symptoms, nausea or blurred vision.

To answer your question, I would say, check the dose of vitamin E. The RDA for vitamin E (tocopherol) is 15 milligrams or 22 international units [IU] for a natural source or 33 IU for a synthetic source per day for both men and women aged 19 and older; 15 mg (22 IU natural source or 33 IU synthetic source) per day for pregnant women; 19 mg (28 natural source or 42 IU synthetic source) per day for breast-feeding women.

You can obtain vitamin E from foods such as vegetable oils, wheat germ, whole-grain products, avocados and nuts or peanut butter.

-- Dr. Donya