Health Benefits of Vitamin E or Tocopherol

The health benefits of vitamin E or Tocopherol include a reduced risk of cataracts, cancer, heart, and cardiovascular diseases. It also helps in improving metabolism and the immune system, along with boosting stamina and vitality.

A set of eight related Tocopherols is collectively known as Vitamin E. This vitamin is best known for its fat soluble and antioxidant properties. Vitamin E was first discovered through experimentation on rats in 1922. The deficiency of this vitamin caused infertility in rats. Although there is no firm confirmation that this vitamin helps to increase fertility in humans, many people, especially men, claim that the regular intake of Vitamin E increases their sexuality and vitality.

Vitamin E is an essential vitamin for the human body. Out of the eight tocopherols, alpha-tocopherols are the most commonly available and are also preferentially absorbed and used by the body. In supplements, it is either available in natural or synthetic form. The synthetic form is only half as active as its natural form.

Health Benefits of Vitamin E

Cancer and Cardiovascular Diseases

This vitamin is lipid-soluble, which means that it helps in cell-membrane stability. The antioxidant content in Vitamin E protect our cells from the negative effects of free radicals. Free radicals are the byproducts of our body’s metabolic process. These free radicals are harmful to our body as they damage cells ,which further increases the chances of the body developing chronic diseases like cancer and other cardiovascular diseases.

Vitamin E has the ability to limit the production of these free radicals, so it might help in the prevention of cancer and other chronic diseases.

Improving Metabolism and the Immune System

Vitamin E plays a vital role in improving our immune system. It helps in DNA repair and also in improving the body’s metabolic processes.

The intake of Vitamin E helps to stop the development of nitrosamines in our body. Nitrosamines are carcinogens that are formed in the stomach from nitrates in our diet. This helps in the improvement of our metabolic process. Vitamin E also helps protect some of the sensitive tissues of our body, like the skin, liver, eyes, breasts, and testes.

Heart Diseases

Researches have shown that Vitamin E helps prevent or delay the onset of heart diseases. Blockages in the coronary arteries can sometimes cause heart attacks and these blockages in the arteries are promoted by the oxidative changes by LDL-cholesterol in the body. Vitamin E has the vital component of antioxidants, which limit the oxidation LDL-cholesterol and thus help to prevent heart disease.

One of the major reasons for heart attacks is blood clots. Research shows that Vitamin E helps in the elimination of blood clots, which in turn helps to avoid heart attacks. Studies have shown that people with a high intake of Vitamin E are less prone to heart-related diseases.

Cataracts

This condition is a result of an abnormal growth in the eye’s lens. This results in cloudy vision and a high risk of vision disability in aged people. People with a high intake of Vitamin E have shown better lens clarity as compared to those who don’t consume appropriate amounts of vitamin E. Antioxidants  present in Vitamin E aid in reducing or delaying the growth of cataracts and other conditions associated with premature aging.