Vitamin E

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Vitamin E benefit

Vitamin E

Definition:

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin that acts as an antioxidant.

Alternative Names:

Deficiency - vitamin E; Tocopherol

Function:

Vitamin E is an antioxidant that protects body tissue from damage caused by unstable substances called free radicals. Free radicals can harm cells, tissues, and organs, and they are believed to be one of the causes of the degenerative processes seen in aging.

Vitamin E is also important in the formation of red blood cells and it helps the body to use vitamin K.

Review Date: 11/10/2004
Reviewed By: Kevin Pho, M.D., Attending, Internal Medicine, Boston VA Medical Center, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2004 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.