nutrition-information.net

Vitamin E - a fat soluble vitamin - is a powerful antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals & protects your cells from oxidization, thus preventing damage. These free radicals are also connected to degenerative diseases which include heart disease, stroke, arthritis, cancer & diabetes. Other help-fuluses include help with blood clotting & wound healing. Other studies on vitamin E have looked at its role in prevention of stress, some new roles have come to light. These involve the transfer of chemical information from one cell to another. This transfer of chemical information is referred to as cell signaling, & many believe that without the help of vitamin E, cell signaling can nottake place.

How much vitamin E do we need? In the US the RDA (recommended dietary allowance) for adult men is 10mgs (milligrams) per day & 8mgs per day for adult women. In the UK the RNI (reference nutrient intake) is 4mgs for men & 3mgs for women.

What happens if we do not get enough? Whilst deficiencies in vitamin E are very rare, a sustained deficiency may result in fatigue, anaemia, muscle wasting, premature ageing & cancers.

And too much of this vitamin? The toxicity of this vitamin is very low, therefore it is very hard to have too much. But an excess may lead to nausea & digestive problems.

Who may need extra? People whose diet is high in processed & refined foods. Also if you do not consume a lot of cereals & grains, & nuts & seeds you may need to supplement.

Good sources of vitamin E include:

● nuts & seeds
● oils
● vegetables
● avocado
● apples
● peanut butter
● egg yolk
● liver
● whole grains

Jason Paris, personal trainer & nutritionist, is co-author with Lady Marie Stubbs of the highly popular fitness & weightloss book Trim & Tone at Home.

Jason Paris also owns & maintains the website female fiftyplus get fit which gives advice on weight loss, exercise & nutrition particularly for women.