Hello, this is Gwak Cheol from Medicine Notes.!

Today, let's learn about vitamin E..

<Another name for vitamin E>

When you search to buy vitamin E, tocopherol you will likely see this term frequently..

This is another name for vitamin E, and there are 4 naturally occurring types (alpha, beta, gamma, and delta),,

of which 'alpha' tocopherol has the highest antioxidant activity..

<Functions of vitamin E>

The functions of vitamin E listed on functional food labels recognized by the MFDS ‘information’is only one.,

‘It is necessary to protect cells from harmful oxygen through antioxidant action.’.

Vitamin E is fat-soluble and penetrates into cell membranes,

reacting with polyunsaturated fatty acid radicals generated by reactive oxygen species

to block lipid peroxidation and protect the cell membrane..

Vitamins with antioxidant functions like this

have cancer prevention, anti-aging, and immune-enhancing effects..

How this function works in the body,,

antioxidant action and in relation to various disease prevention and treatment effects reported,let's learn through them.!

1. By blocking LDL oxidation, there is epidemiological survey results showing effects on cardiovascular disease prevention. .

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2. Lipofuscin contained in the brain and myocardium of elderly people and ceroid, a similar pigment,

has shown inhibitory effects on generation, and delayed aging effects are also presumed to exist..

3. There are reports showing inverse correlation with the risk of developing degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. .

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4. Through protective action of biological membranes such as skin and mucous membranes, it prevents wrinklesand,

rough skinhas improvement effects and is widely used in cosmetics..

📢Gwak Cheol's Knowledge-Filling Comment (Full!)

Vitamin E is a component of cell membranes and lipoproteins,,

exists in various plant oils and is stable to heat and acid, but easily oxidizes by combining with oxygen in the air..

Especially, it is decomposed by ultraviolet light and loses its function,,

so for cosmetics containing vitamin E, you must use them with proper knowledge of usage methods..

5. There are reports showing prevention and improvement effects on insulin resistance, diabetic complications, ischemic heart disease, cataracts, and glaucoma. .

6. There are research results showing considerable effects on premenstrual syndrome symptoms..

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7. It regulates heme biosynthesis in the body and also regulates the activity of proteins containing heme indirectly..

Additionally, it is involved in immune response and gene regulation, as well as in the protective action of selenium-containing proteins and electron transport chain..

…There are incredibly many...

While writing this article, Gwak Cheol was reminded once again of how remarkable vitamin E truly is.…

Did each reader find at least one effect of interest?? I hope you found this interesting,,

and next, let's learn about improvable symptoms where vitamin E is actually being utilized

using these functions.!

<Diseases where symptoms can be improved with vitamin E supplementation>

First, administration to immature fetuses and premature infants..

In immature fetuses, prevention of lens fiber proliferation, protective effects against internal cardiac hemorrhage, and improved sepsis effects can be seen,,

and in premature infants, hemolysis of red blood cells is prevented,

and the risk of retinopathy caused by excess oxygen forming toxic oxygen radicals is reduced..

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Second, administration in immature anemia..

This prevents vitamin E deficiency caused by inadequate diet and improves symptoms of jaundice and anemia in newborns..

Third, administration in heart disease..

As a result, the risk of coronary artery disease is reduced,,

with inhibition of LDL oxidation in the cardiovascular system and inhibition of platelet aggregation in the cardiovascular system..

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Finally, administration for immune response..

Vitamin E has effects on improving immune response in elderly people,so we hope our elderly readers also pay attention..

<Is there toxicity? Yes!! Deficiency symptoms are?>

generally greater in toxicity for fat-soluble

vitamins that accumulate well in the body compared to water-soluble vitamins that are well excreted. .

(For reference, fat-soluble vitamins include vitamins A, D, E, and K..)

Toxicity is evaluated as very mild, but reported toxicities so far include

creatinuria, decreased platelet aggregation, delayed wound healing, hepatic adenoma (one of benign liver tumors),),

fibrinolysis disorders, gastrointestinal disturbances (nausea, abdominal bloating, diarrhea), amenorrhea, decreased seminal volume, visual disturbances, dermatitis, and others..

In premature infants, renal failure, liver disease, ascites, sepsis, enterocolitis, and intracranial hemorrhage can occur..

📢Gwak Cheol's Knowledge-Filling Comment (Full!)

Based on the above adverse effects, if you have specific diseases (cardiovascular disease, hemorrhagic disease, liver function impairment, etc.),,

long-term use should be avoided or professional guidance is necessary.!!

Regarding deficiency..

: Vitamin E is widely distributed in food and is also generated and utilized by intestinal bacteria, so

no clear deficiency is known in humans..

Various deficiencies are known in animals,

and from animal deficiencies, vitamin E is clinically used for habitual miscarriage, muscle atrophy, anemia, and other microvascular disorders. .

<Vitamin E has drug interactions..>

Vitamin E enhances and weakens the effects of certain drugs..

✅ **Anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents (warfarin, aspirin, etc.),)**when taken, the risk of bleeding can increase..

✅ **Lipid-lowering agents (statin-class drugs))**when taken together, can weaken the effects of the drug..

<I cannot function alone; I need help from other vitamins! Help me, vitamin C and coenzyme Q!>

Vitamin E maintains antioxidant function through interactions with other vitamins..

When vitamin E and coenzyme Q work together in the body,

vitamin E primarily provides hydrogen to peroxyl radicals,

and the generated oxidized form is reduced and regenerated by coenzyme Q..

Vitamin E oxidized by fatty acid radicals in the cell membrane

exists in the cytoplasm must receive electrons from vitamin C to be reduced to its original state and function again..

✔️ Conclusion

1. Effects of anti-cancer, heart disease prevention, high blood pressure improvement, delayed aging, skin protection, neuroprotection, PMS, etc.

2. Used for improving disease symptoms: immature fetuses and premature infants, immature anemia, heart disease, immune response

3. Risk of toxicity with long-term use

4. Caution for patients taking warfarin and aspirin-class, statin-class drugs

5. Vitamin C and coenzyme Q essential to maintain vitamin E's function

✔️ References

1) Preventive Pharmacy 10th Edition Korean Pharmaceutical Education Council Preventive Pharmacy Division Shil Books

2) Functional Foods 4th Edition Korean Pharmaceutical Education Council Preventive Pharmacy Division Shil Books