Imagine a single vitamin that not only benefits your skin and immune system but also has the potential to prevent blood clots and reduce your risk of heart attack or stroke. Is Vitamin E the ultimate multitasking nutrient, or is its blood-thinning reputation another myth? Let’s find out!
Vitamin E: An Overview
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble nutrient found in oils and fats. It is an essential nutrient for the body.
It is also an antioxidant that reverses free radical damage in the body.
Health Benefits Of Vitamin E
Vitamin E is vital for normal vision. It is essential for maintaining fertility.
Vitamin E helps in the uptake of vitamin K by helping form red blood cells in the body.
Since vitamin E is an antioxidant, it protects the body from free radical damage.
Free radicals are released due to exposure to tobacco smoke or radiation.
They can cause severe problems like cancer and heart disease.
Vitamin E Deficiency
Vitamin E deficiency is rare in adults.
Healthy people rarely show any symptoms of deficiency.
However, when a diet contains low amounts of vitamin E, a person might start showing symptoms.
Symptoms
Some common symptoms of vitamin E deficiency include
- Nerve and muscle damage
- Loss of feeling in arms and legs
- Loss of body movement control
- Vision problems
- Weakened immune system
Causes
Vitamin E deficiency is usually not caused by a diet low in vitamin E content.
It is usually caused by conditions where fat is not digested or absorbed properly.
Risk Factors
Vitamin E deficiency usually occurs in people suffering from a disease where fat is not metabolized properly.
Such diseases are Crohn’s disease, cystic fibrosis, and certain genetic disorders like ataxia.
Vitamin E deficiency can increase the risk of cancer and heart disease.
What Are The Effects of Excess Vitamin E Intake?
Vitamin E toxicity is usually rare.
Adults can continue to take excess vitamin E without any apparent harm.
But too much vitamin E can increase the risk of excess bleeding.
It is especially pronounced in people who already take a blood thinner like warfarin.
Is There A Downside To Taking Vitamin E?
Studies show that people already taking blood thinners should avoid too much vitamin E.
Although it is unclear how much vitamin E can cause toxicity, it is recommended not to take more than 400 IU per day.
High doses of vitamin E, around 1500 IU daily, can cause adverse effects, such as blood thinning.
Getting all your vitamin E from your diet is a good idea rather than taking vitamin E supplements.
What Are The Symptoms Of Vitamin E Toxicity?
Vitamin E toxicity is usually a result of taking excessive supplements.
It is because too much vitamin E can reduce blood clotting.
It might increase the risk of bleeding and make a person prone to cardiovascular disease and heart attacks.
Other symptoms of vitamin E toxicity include
- Nausea
- Headache
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal cramps
- Fatigue
If high doses of vitamin E are taken for a long time, a person might suffer a hemorrhagic stroke.
Is Vitamin E A Blood Thinner When Taken In Excess?
Excess vitamin E can have blood thinning effects.
Besides interfering with vitamin K metabolism, it can also inhibit platelet aggregation.
Excess vitamin E can cause fatal bleeding and hemorrhagic stroke.
Can Vitamin E Be Used As A Blood Thinner?
Excess vitamin E, when taken as supplements, can result in blood thinning.
However, little evidence proves that this vitamin can be used instead of a blood thinner.
How Much Vitamin E For Blood Thinning?
When taken as a part of the diet, vitamin E does not cause blood thinning.
But when taken as supplements, they can act as blood thinners.
300mg or more of vitamin E daily can interfere with blood thinners like aspirin and warfarin.
Is Vitamin E Good For Blood Clots?
When blood moves too slowly through the blood vessels, it can cause a disorder called deep vein thrombosis.
In this disorder, blood clots can break away and reach your lungs, where they can get stuck in a blood vessel.
Some research shows vitamin E can prevent deadly blood clots in people, not on any medication, but this claim needs to be backed by more studies.
What Is The Safe and Recommended Vitamin E Intake Levels?
The amount of vitamin E that your body need depends on your age.
Adults and pregnant women need around 15mg of vitamin E daily.
Breastfeeding women need 19mg of vitamin E.
People who cannot metabolize fat may need more than the standard recommended levels of vitamin E.
Is 400 IU Of Vitamin E Daily Too Much?
The Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine prescribes no more than 1500 IU of vitamin E daily.
For people deficient in vitamin E, usually, a dose of 400 IU to 800 IU is prescribed by doctors.
You should always consult your doctor before starting any supplements.
Food Sources of Vitamin E
Foods naturally rich in fat usually contain vitamin E.
In addition, certain fishes, fruits, and vegetables also contain vitamin E.
Some common foods that are rich in vitamin E are:
- Sunflower oil
- Almond oil
- Pine nuts
- Peanuts
- Avocado
- Lobster
- Mango
- Kiwi
Summary
Vitamin E is an essential nutrient for the body.
It helps in metabolism and reduces oxidative stress.
However, excess vitamin E can act as a blood thinner.
It can cause fatal bleeding and interfere with other blood-thinning medications such as aspirin and warfarin.
It is essential to consult your doctor before starting any supplements as they might interfere with any preexisting health conditions.
