Top Vitamin E Benefits In A Multivitamin

Did you know vitamin E is an essential nutrient that supports overall health†? As a powerful antioxidant, vitamin E plays multiple roles in the body. Yet many people following a typical North American diet typically do not get enough vitamin E through food alone.

In this article, we explore what vitamin E is, how it supports the body, who might be at risk for low levels, and how to ensure you’re getting enough.

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What Is Vitamin E?

Vitamin E is:

• A fat-soluble vitamin that protects cells from oxidative stress†
• Naturally found in eight forms (four tocopherols and four tocotrienols)
• The alpha-tocopherol form is the most biologically active and is commonly used in supplements†
• Acts as an antioxidant, helping protect cells from free radicals† (unstable atoms that tend to accumulate by attaching to other atoms, causing oxidative stress†)

How Vitamin E Supports the Body†

Vitamin E has several important functions in the body, including:

• Antioxidant defense – Helps protect cells from oxidative damage
• Immune system support – Supports normal immune function
• Skin health – Contributes to the maintenance of healthy skin
• Eye health – Helps maintain healthy eye tissue and function
• Cell function – Involved in cell signaling and gene expression

Top Food Sources of Vitamin E

Vitamin E is found in a range of foods, including:

• Nuts and seeds – Almonds, hazelnuts, and sunflower seeds are rich sources. Peanuts and pine nuts provide moderate amounts, while pecans, pistachios, and cashews offer lower amounts.
• Vegetable oils – Including wheat germ, sunflower, safflower, soybean, canola, olive, and avocado oils
• Green leafy vegetables – Such as spinach, chard, kale, mustard greens, collard greens, and broccoli
• Whole grains – Wheat, barley, farro and oats
• Fortified foods – Breakfast cereals and some margarines and spreads

Although vitamin E is found in many foods, most Americans do not obtain adequate amounts of vitamin E solely through their diet.

Who Might Need More Vitamin E?

People who don’t routinely eat a lot of green leafy vegetables, nuts or seeds may need additional vitamin E, and so may the following:

• Older adults who may have low dietary intake or decreased absorption
• People with rare genetic disorders affecting vitamin E absorption
• Individuals on very low-fat diets
• Those following high-protein diets
• Adults with fat-malabsorption conditions

Vitamin E in Supplements

Vitamin E is sometimes seen as a standalone supplement and is regularly included in multivitamins, including all Cooper Complete multivitamins.

Key considerations:

• Natural vs. synthetic forms – Natural vitamin E is d-alpha-tocopherol, while the synthetic form is dl-alpha-tocopherol. While some synthetic and natural vitamins perform similarly in the body, this is not the case with vitamin E. Natural d-alpha-tocopherol is more bioavailable than synthetic dl-alpha-tocopherol†. (It may help to think of the “d” as delivering, while “dl” delivers less.)
• Cooper Complete formulations (multivitamins, Eye Health and Dermatologic Health) use natural d-alpha tocopherol for better absorption†
• The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of vitamin E for adults is 15 mg (22.4 IU)
• The Upper Intake Level (UL) from supplements is 1,000 mg (1,500 IU) per day

Final Thoughts

Vitamin E is a vital nutrient that helps protect cells and supports immune function, skin, and eye health†. If your diet isn’t optimal, a high-quality multivitamin containing natural vitamin E may help fill in the gaps†.

At Cooper Complete, we offer supplements designed to meet a variety of individual needs of every lifestyle. Taking the right supplements for you† is one of the 8 steps to get Cooperized™. As always, talk with your physician or health care provider about what’s best for your health needs†.

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About the Author: Jill Turner is the President of Cooper Complete® Nutritional Supplements, where she oversees product development and customer experience. She enjoys writing about vitamins, supplements, and preventive health to help consumers make informed, science-backed decisions.