What is really Vitamin E?

Can someone please tell me what the topical & internal benefits of vitamin E are?

• I bought a bottle of nature's bounty vitamin E yesterday and i am just wondering what the benefits are it is in oil form, but says that you can take it internally

• Answer:

  Specifically, vitamin E may help to: Prevent or delay heart disease and related complications. Protect against prostate and other cancers. As an antioxidant, vitamin E helps to safeguard cell membranes from the damaging effects of free radicals that can play a role in the development of cancer. Prevent or delay cataracts and macular degeneration. Slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease and dementia. Retard the aging process and boost immune function. With age, the immune system becomes less efficient at fighting off microbes and viruses. Part of this decline may be due to low levels of vitamin E in the bloodstream. Some studies have shown improved immune responses in older people who take vitamin E supplements. Internally - Promote healing of burns, eczema, and other skin problems. When applied to the skin, vitamin E-containing creams or oils are believed to promote healing, protecting cells from free-radical damage and reducing itchiness. Many people use such products to ensure optimal skin health. General Dosage Information Special tips: For most people, supplement dosages for vitamin E should be relatively low (400 IU or less), as there are apparent risks in taking very high doses. Vitamin E is particularly effective when taken with vitamin C, which increases its absorption by the body. For topical use, commercial creams containing vitamin E are easy to find. Alternatively, you can break open a capsule or prick at softgel and gently rub the oil directly into the affected area. Vitamin E is available in natural and synthetic forms. The latest findings indicate natural vitamin E supplements seem to be superior to the synthetic forms. (Natural forms will be designated with a "d," as in d-alpha. Synthetic forms will be designated with a "dl," as in dl-alpha.) Products marked as "mixed tocopherols" (alpha, beta, delta and gamma) are absorbed well and also make a good choice. Guidelines for Use - Try to take vitamin E at the same time each day. To promote absorption and lower the risk of stomach irritation, take this fat-soluble vitamin with food that contains some fat. Once vitamin E squelches free radicals, it becomes a weak free radical itself. For this reason, make sure to get plenty of vitamin C as well; it not only recycles vitamin E that has used up its antioxidant fuel but also restores its free-radical-fighting power. Tocotrienols can't perform many of the important health functions of tocopherols, so don't substitute tocotrienol supplements for your regular vitamin E capsules. The two can safely be combined, however. You can also get tocotrienols naturally by eating foods that contain it, such as cereal brans (barley, oats, rice) and palm oil.