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Vitamin E deficiency - Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

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Vitamin E deficiency can cause wrinkles in your skin. Read this article to learn more effects of vitamin E deficiency.

Written byDr. Lochana .k
Medically reviewed byDr. Deepika Dixit
Published At March 10, 2022
Reviewed AtOctober 10, 2024
Vitamin E deficiency - Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

What Are Vitamins?

Our body needs the help of vitamins to develop and grow. Vitamins can be classified as water-soluble and fat-soluble vitamins. The vitamins A, D, E, and K are fat-soluble. The remaining vitamins, such as B, C, and D, are water-soluble. Vitamins help an individual to function properly. Vitamins are micronutrients that are organic compounds required only in minor quantities for proper functioning, cellular function, and physiologic growth. These vitamins are inadequate in the body, so one needs to consume them through vitamin-rich foods. Therefore, vitamins are considered essential nutrients.

Vitamin E:

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin that acts as an antioxidant and is important for its vital functions in reproduction, vision, and blood health. It also supports the immune system in fighting infections. Although vitamin E is a single compound, it contains eight fat-soluble compounds with powerful antioxidant effects. Vitamin E also prevents cells from oxidative damage by neutralizing free radicals (harmful molecules).

What Are the Important Functions of Vitamin E?

The essential functions of vitamin E are discussed below:

  • Antioxidant: Substances called free radicals are released due to the breakdown of food particles. It is also released during exposure to radiation and smoke. Antioxidants are substances required to protect the body's cells from oxidative damage. Vitamin E is a rich antioxidant. However, the property of antioxidation is advantageous if it is present at the ideal levels. When the antioxidants are in increased concentrations, they act as pro-oxidants. It might end up with harmful effects.

  • Anti-aging: Sunlight is an essential source of vitamin D. The sun's ultraviolet rays are known to damage cells, resulting in wrinkling of the skin and an old appearance. Vitamin E helps nourish the cells and provides essential oils to the skin. Most moisturizing creams and oils contain vitamin E. Proper nourishment of the cells can help prevent aging and help a person look young.

  • Rejuvenating Dead Cells: Vitamin E can nourish the skin's dead cells and help rejuvenate them, making them look healthy and young.

  • Anti-inflammatory Property: Vitamin E has good anti-inflammatory properties. It helps reduce swelling and inflammation in the body. There might be several reasons for inflammation, but whatever the reason, vitamin E helps subside the swelling.

  • Hormonal Balance: Maintaining all the hormones at an exact level is essential. It helps maintain the nervous and endocrine systems, reduces the effect of estrogen, improves hormonal profile, and reduces symptoms of menopause and PMS (premenstrual syndrome). Such a balance will promote a healthy life. If there is a deficiency of vitamin E, a wide range of hormonal imbalances could be observed. If there is an imbalance in a particular hormone, then health impairment begins.

What Are the Causes of Vitamin E Deficiency?

The most common causes of vitamin E deficiency are:

  • Chronic Pancreatitis: Damage to the functioning and structure of the pancreas due to long-standing inflammation of the pancreas.
  • Cystic Fibrosis: A genetic condition in which lungs are damaged, resulting in a thick, sticky mucus buildup that blocks the passages.
  • Crohn's Disease: A lifelong condition that causes inflammation of the digestive tract, resulting in life-threatening complications.
  • Primary Biliary Cirrhosis: An autoimmune condition of the liver causing damage to the bile ducts.
  • Short Bowel Syndrome: A malabsorption problem caused due to defective small intestine functioning.
  • Cholestasis: A medical condition resulting from decreased bile flow or slowing of the bile through the biliary system.

What Is the Dietary Requirement of Vitamin E?

The dietary requirements of vitamin E mainly depend on the age and physical condition of the individual.

  • Children aged one to three years require six mg (milligrams) daily.

  • Children between four and eight years old require seven mg daily.

  • Children between nine and 13 years old require 11 mg of vitamin E daily.

  • Adults over 14 years of age need 15 mg of the vitamin daily.

  • Breastfeeding mothers require 19 mg of vitamin E per day. Their dietary requirement is higher to support the nutritional content of both the mother and the baby.

What Are the Rich Sources of Vitamin E?

The rich sources of vitamin E are:

  • Nuts like almonds, hazelnuts or filberts, and peanuts.

  • Vegetable oils include sunflower, wheat germ, safflower, soybean, and corn.

  • Green leafy vegetables like broccoli, beet greens, collard greens, and spinach.

  • Seeds like sunflower seeds.

  • Pumpkin and bell pepper.

  • Eggs.

  • Fruits like kiwi and mango.

What Are the Symptoms of Vitamin E Deficiency?

The symptoms of vitamin E deficiency are:

  • Muscular weakness.

  • Poor immune system.

  • Loss of bodily movements.

  • Blurred vision.

  • Damages to the nerves.

  • Tingling sensation in the arms and legs.

What Are the Positive Effects of Vitamin E on Health?

  • Disorders of the Eye: Cataract formation and age-related macular degeneration are common problems in older people. Medical researchers have identified that vitamin E helps overcome these vision problems. A large vitamin E supplementation can eventually reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration.

  • Mental Function: Supplementation of vitamin E in older people helps them stay alert and active. They are known to have fewer amnesia (memory loss) episodes. Vitamin E helps repair certain mild mental health problems.

  • Heart Diseases: Providing vitamin E supplements to people at risk of heart disease shows positive results. However, reducing the risk of heart-related health issues does not apply to all patients. More medical researchers are required to identify the influence of vitamin E on the heart and its function.

  • Cancer: Medical reports suggest that vitamin E does not positively affect the condition of cancer. Higher doses of vitamin E are known to be very dangerous for cancer patients. Prolonged usage of ideal levels of vitamin E supplements is known to be beneficial in reducing the risk of bladder cancer. The dissociation of vitamin E and cancer exists due to vitamin E's interaction with radiotherapy and chemotherapy procedures.

What Are the Treatment Options for Vitamin E Deficiency?

Vitamin E deficiency can be overcome by supplementing it through diet or medications. If the cause of vitamin E deficiency is malabsorption or neurological, doctors will recommend a higher vitamin E dosage. If there is a poor concentration of bile salts in the intestine, patients would have difficulty absorbing the oral supplements of vitamin E. In such cases, doctors suggest intramuscular administration of vitamin E. The doctor should decide the dosage for any oral or parenteral administration of vitamins. Always follow the doctor's instructions.

What Are the Complications of Excessive Intake of Vitamin E?

It is not advised to take excessive quantities of fats-soluble like vitamin E. Consuming higher vitamin E levels is known to have many complications. Some of the known complications of abundant levels of vitamin E are:

Conclusion

Vitamins and minerals are essential for many cellular functions, supporting the human body's normal functioning. Any discrepancies or deficiencies in the amount of vitamins you consume may affect your health. So, in recommended doses, including all kinds of macro and micronutrients in your food is mandatory. Vitamin E is one such nutrient that cannot be skipped for better functioning of your body.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Vitamin E deficiency is rare in humans, as it is unlikely to be caused by a low vitamin E-containing diet. Vitamin E deficiency can be seen in countries with a higher food insecurity rate. In developing countries, the deficiency is due to inadequate dietary vitamin E intake.
People who have problems absorbing dietary fat are at risk of vitamin E deficiency, as the absorption of vitamin E fat is needed. Infants with low birth weight and those with gastric bypass surgery are also at an increased risk.
Increasing vitamin E intake is simple, even without taking supplements. Adding sources of vitamin E to the diet, like almonds or sunflower seeds, will help. In addition, the intake of fat aids in the absorption of vitamin E. Taking supplements will help reduce the symptoms of deficiency.
Nuts like almonds and hazelnuts, vegetable oils like sunflower oil, green leafy vegetables like broccoli and spinach, seeds like sunflower seeds, bell peppers, pumpkin, eggs, and fruits like mango and kiwi are some rich sources of vitamin E.
The vitamin E test checks the amount of vitamin E in the blood. It also measures the efficiency of the vitamin's absorption. It helps in diagnosing a deficiency or increased intake of vitamin E. The test is also used to check vitamin E levels in premature babies.
Vitamin E is also known as tocopherol or alpha-tocopherol. It is a nutrient found in every cell in the body. The nutrient helps to prevent blood clots, boost the immune system, and make the muscles and nerves work well.
Adding the source foods of vitamin E to the diet, like almonds or sunflower seeds, will help to get adequate vitamin E at home. In addition, the intake of fat aids in the absorption of vitamin E. Taking vitamin E supplements will also do the job.
Adding the source foods of vitamin E to the diet, like almonds or sunflower seeds, will help to get adequate vitamin E at home. In addition, the intake of fat aids in the absorption of vitamin E. Taking vitamin E supplements will also do the job.
Nuts like almonds and hazelnuts are excellent sources of vitamin E. An ounce of almonds, which contains about 23 nuts, has about 7.3 to 7.7 milligrams of Vitamin E. Including such sources in the diet can benefit the nerves and muscles and prevent deficiency symptoms.
Vitamin deficiency requires some time to get resolved. Vitamin E supplement intake helps get adequate vitamins, which may not be received by consuming the foods needed. In addition, vitamin E-containing skin products are also available.
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble and active ingredient in many skin products. It protects the skin from damaging effects, mainly from the sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation. It also has anti-inflammatory effects. 
Vitamin E supplements taken orally can help the body get the required vitamin. There are various brands and names for them. Getting the medicine produced under a genuine brand and containing the allowed ingredients is essential. Reading the label carefully before buying and getting an opinion from the doctor is also necessary.
Blood clotting is the body's mechanism against excessive bleeding. Vitamin E has the property of interfering with blood clotting. Therefore, vitamin E can cause blood thinning and severe bleeding if taken in excess. 
Melanin is a pigment that can cause dark spots on the skin. In addition, hormones and other factors can also cause marks and pigmentation. Vitamin E oil applied topically may help eliminate pigmentation on the skin. However, this may only work in some kinds of pigmentation.
Intake of vitamin E in any form can be beneficial. Vitamin E helps the muscles and nerves function well and builds the immune system. Vitamin E-containing products and oils are available to apply topically for skin benefits.
Vitamin E, or tocopherol, is an ingredient in Evion. Evion is a vitamin supplement. It has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. 
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Dr. Deepika Dixit

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