What you need to know about Vitamin E

We have all heard about vitamins. Just like vitamins C and D, vitamin E is also essential for our body. You may have heard that vitamin E helps in keeping the skin beautiful and protecting it from diseases. But sometimes you may have questions like whether it is good to take vitamin E in pill form or not, and what happens if you take too much. So, what exactly is vitamin E? Let's talk about everything in simple terms.

What exactly is vitamin E?

Simply put, vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin that helps our body stay healthy. It also acts as a very powerful antioxidant. Now you may be wondering what an antioxidant is. Just think, our body is constantly producing harmful particles called free radicals that damage and weaken our cells. These are like thieves who steal small pieces from our cells, causing them to age and become sick. Over time, this damage can lead to diseases like cancer and Alzheimer's disease , and can also cause premature aging of the skin.

How do we get vitamin E?

Here's the good news. You don't have to work hard to get the amount of vitamin E you need. We can get plenty of vitamin E from a well-balanced diet .

Foods rich in vitamin E:

• Nuts: Things like almonds and sunflower seeds are rich in vitamin E.
• Vegetables : Dark green vegetables like spinach and broccoli.
• Fruits : Mango, kiwi, avocado.
• Fish : Oily fish like salmon and tuna.
• Vegetable oil: sunflower oil (safflower oil).

Additionally, vitamin E is sometimes added to breakfast cereals and fruit drinks. They may also be labeled 'fortified' on the package. It is also found in some moisturizers and vitamin E oil that you use.

How much vitamin E do we need per day?

The amount of vitamin E we need per day varies depending on our age. A breastfeeding mother needs a little more than the usual amount. This is the recommended daily allowance (RDA).

Is it necessary to take vitamin E supplements?

This is a big problem for many people. In fact, most people don't need vitamin E supplements at all. As we discussed earlier, a balanced diet provides enough vitamin E for our bodies. The vitamin E pills you see in pharmacies can usually contain 10 to 20 times the daily recommended amount. However, if you have an intestinal condition, such as celiac disease, Crohn's disease, or ulcerative colitis, your body may not be able to absorb vitamin E from food.

What happens if you take too much vitamin E? (Side effects and overdose)

This is a very important point. It is very unlikely that you will overdose on vitamin E from food alone. There is nothing to worry about. But the problem comes when you take vitamin E pills without medical advice. Because this is a fat-soluble vitamin, the excess amount that enters the body is not excreted in the urine. Instead, it is stored in our tissues and liver. The most dangerous side effect of taking an overdose of vitamin E is conditions such as brain bleeds. Therefore, an adult should completely avoid taking more than 1000 milligrams (1000 mg) of vitamin E pills per day.

What medications should not be taken with vitamin E pills?

If you are taking vitamin E pills, you should also be careful about other medications you are taking at the same time. In particular, if you are taking the following medications, avoid taking vitamin E pills or consult your doctor.