6 Benefits of Vitamin E You Didn't Know About

Vitamin E is not a single vitamin, but rather a group of fat-soluble vitamins with antioxidant effects. Antioxidants help to fight free radicals, which are electrons that have broken off from an atom. Free radicals have been linked to a wide range of health conditions including cancer and premature aging. Here are 6 benefits of vitamin E you may not have known about: 1. Memory Some research has shown that high-dose vitamin E might delay the progression of Alzheimer's disease in people who have been diagnosed with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. 2. Liver In one series of experiments, presented at the April 2013 meeting of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, mice were genetically engineered with a deficiency in alpha-tocopherol transfer protein (αTTP), a molecule necessary for proper utilization of vitamin E. In these experiments, the piece of DNA that encodes the protein was replaced with an artificial DNA segment. Both TTP-null and normal mice were placed on a vitamin E-deficient diet. The knockout mice showed signs of NAFLD which was reversible when the mice were supplemented with vitamin E. The conclusion that vitamin E may help to reduce NASH is supported by changes observed in histological sections of liver tissue before and after supplementation with vitamin E Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) occurs when fatty deposits accumulate in the liver for reasons not involving chronic alcohol abuse. Excess fat around the liver can cause inflammation and scarring, a condition known as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) the most severe form of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. A major contributor to the development of cirrhosis of the liver, NASH has been found to respond to treatments for type 2 diabetes, such as weight loss or the drug, metformin. Evidence from knockout mice and from separate histological studies suggest that vitamin E may also help to alleviate the symptoms of NASH. The best time to supplement with vitamin E is before the damage occurs because once scarring accumulates to the point of cirrhosis, there is nothing that can be done to prevent liver failure. 3. Hair Vitamin E may help support a healthy scalp and hair as it has natural antioxidant effects that could assist with maintaining hair growth. The vitamin's antioxidant properties could help reduce the amount of oxidative stress and free radicals that cause the hair follicle cells in a person's scalp to break down. There is some limited evidence to support the claim that vitamin E can help prevent hair loss. 4. Skin When you have a wound, it can take awhile for it to heal. However, vitamin E can speed up the healing process. By supplementing with vitamin E, your body gets some extra help healing wounds. The vitamin works on a cellular level to impact your connective tissue. In one study, those that received vitamin E had a smaller chance of developing skin cancer. When researchers exposed them to ultraviolet light, the ones who took the supplements were less likely to develop skin cancer. Because the nutrient is an antioxidant, there is a likelihood that supplementing with the vitamin can prevent cancer. By keeping your skin moist, vitamin E can reduce your wrinkles. Your skin could have fewer wrinkles and make you look younger. Another common skin condition is psoriasis. Although it’s not a miracle cure, supplementing with vitamin E can improve mild psoriasis. It could alleviate some of the discomforts and be a substitute for costly prescription medications. 5. Dry Eyes The antioxidant power of this nutrient protects the cells in your eyes from damage. It also boosts your body’s immune system. 6. Stress According to daily value recommendations for the US and Canada, you should have at least 15 mg of vitamin E each day. However, many Americans fail to get enough of the vitamin in their diet. To make sure you are getting enough vitamin E each day, you may also consider adding a whole-food Vitamin E supplement such as the one offered by NATURELO. By keeping your skin moist, vitamin E can reduce your wrinkles. Your skin could have fewer wrinkles and make you look younger. Another common skin condition is psoriasis. Although it’s not a miracle cure, supplementing with vitamin E can improve mild psoriasis. It could alleviate some of the discomforts and be a substitute for costly prescription medications. References: