Micronutrient, Vitamin E

Overview:

Vitamin E is a group of fat-soluble compounds that protect cell membranes from oxidative damage. Alpha-tocopherol is the form the body retains and uses preferentially, while beta and gamma tocopherols come largely from vegetable oils and are reported separately here. Because it is fat soluble, absorption depends on dietary fat and on normal fat digestion, so deficiency occurs mainly with malabsorption conditions such as cystic fibrosis, cholestatic liver disease and after some bowel surgery, rather than from diet alone. Prolonged deficiency affects the nerves and can cause difficulty with coordination and balance.

Categories:

Vitamins & Nutrients, Immune

Biomarkers:

2 biomarkers