Vitamin E is a powerful, fat-soluble antioxidant with many health benefits. Its deficiency can stem from both diet gaps and genetic causes. Recognizing the signs of vitamin E deficiency is essential to address it timely and to avoid potential health issues.
What is Vitamin E?
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin that is present in a variety of foods. It encompasses a group of compounds, including tocopherols and tocotrienols, essential for various physiological functions. Sufficient levels of this vitamin are important to ensure an antioxidant effect. Vitamin E helps fight off the damage caused by the free radical oxidative stress. Vitamin E also helps prevent the formation of blood clots in the vessels and boosts the immune system to prevent infections.
Optimal Vitamin E Levels in the Body
The normal levels of vitamin E in adults range between 5.5-17 μg/mL. While the reference values in children are between 3-18.4 μg/mL.
The values lower than these indicate vitamin E deficiency and are diagnosed by measuring alpha-tocopherol
The values lower than these indicate vitamin E deficiency and are diagnosed by measuring alpha-tocopherol
levels in the blood test.
Symptoms of Vitamin E deficiency
Vitamin E deficiency is associated with various indicative signs and symptoms. The severity of the following symptoms varies depending on the mild or severe vitamin deficiency;
Muscle Weakness:
Vitamin E is linked to the body’s antioxidant effects on the central nervous system. A deficiency of the vitamin
causes oxidation, which thus leads to muscle weakness and fatigue.
Vision Problems:
The retina is a light-sensitive tissue highly sensitive to oxidative stress. A deficiency in vitamin E can result in
reduced protection against oxidative damage in the retina. This leads to visual disturbances. The disturbances in the optic nerve due to lack of vitamin E can also lead to blurred vision and eyesight deterioration.
Loss of coordination:
The oxidative damage to the neurons results in their degradation and neurological issues like muscle
tremors, imbalance, and inability to walk. This decline in cognitive functioning also leads to Alzheimer’s disease. This is particularly prominent in adults suffering from vitamin E.
tremors, imbalance, and inability to walk. This decline in cognitive functioning also leads to Alzheimer’s disease. This is particularly prominent in adults suffering from vitamin E.
Immune deficiency:
Vitamin E is linked to improving immune system functioning. Its deficiency leads to weakened immune
functioning. This also makes the body more prone to bacterial and viral infections.
functioning. This also makes the body more prone to bacterial and viral infections.
Blood deficiency anemia:
Severe vitamin E deficiency causes the breakdown of red blood cells. This leads to hemolytic anaemia.
Skin damage:
Vitamin E is essential for maintaining healthy skin and scalp. Any deficiency in this vitamin causes the skin to become dry and flaky. Mild to severe itching can also result, indicating a fat-soluble vitamin deficiency.
In addition to these, some of the rare vitamin E deficiency symptoms
include;
include;
● Peripheral neuropathy
● Retinopathy
● Dysarthria
● Nystagmus
● Ataxia
● Retinopathy
● Dysarthria
● Nystagmus
● Ataxia
Risk Factors associated with Vitamin E deficiency
There are no definite causes of vitamin E deficiency, as it can occur in any individual at any age. Some of the risk factors that indicate a higher incidence of this deficiency are;
Dietary Insufficiency:
A deficiency in vitamin E can occur due to the lack of consumption of foods such as nuts, seeds, vegetable oils, and green leafy vegetables, which are abundant in this vitamin. A strict low-fat diet can also contribute to this risk because it limits your intake of dietary fats. These fats are essential for absorbing fat-
soluble vitamins, including vitamin E.
soluble vitamins, including vitamin E.
Malabsorption of fats:
Certain chronic diseases, such as Crohn’s disease, cystic fibrosis, and celiac disease, can hinder the body’s
capacity to absorb fats and fat-soluble vitamins, including vitamin E. Consequently, individuals with these conditions are at a higher risk of developing a vitamin E deficiency disorder.
capacity to absorb fats and fat-soluble vitamins, including vitamin E. Consequently, individuals with these conditions are at a higher risk of developing a vitamin E deficiency disorder.
Premature Infants:
The chances of vitamin E deficiency increase in premature babies. This deficiency is also linked to anemia
formation almost after 4-6 weeks of birth. Vitamin E supplementation is required in these deficient individuals.
formation almost after 4-6 weeks of birth. Vitamin E supplementation is required in these deficient individuals.
Liver Disorders:
If you are suffering from liver diseases like cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis, your body’s ability to store and
release vitamin E.
release vitamin E.
Genetic Factors:
Vitamin E deficiency can also occur due to genetic abnormalities in the α-TTP gene.
Ageing:
The deficiency of vitamin E is more prominent in older adults. This is because the ability to absorb and utilize the vitamin is diminished as you age.
Medical treatments:
Some medical procedures and surgeries can reduce the nutrient absorption capacity of your body. This leads to
severe vitamin and mineral deficiency, including vitamin E. Such procedures include gastric bypass surgery.
severe vitamin and mineral deficiency, including vitamin E. Such procedures include gastric bypass surgery.
Sources of Vitamin E
The dietary sources of vitamin E include plant-based foods such as nuts, fruits, and vegetables.
The major examples that you can add to your diet to avoid vitamin E deficiency in disorder include;
● Pumpkin and Pumpkin seeds
● Avocadoes
● Sunflower oil
● Spinach
● Salmon fish
● Avocadoes
● Sunflower oil
● Spinach
● Salmon fish
In addition to these, cooking oil is considered one of the richest sources of vitamin E. Buy Vitamin E, the Ultimate Solution for good health, Shop Now.
Conclusion:
Vitamin E is an essential nutrient in the body that is taken through food. Vitamin E deficiency disorder is often linked to degenerative symptoms affecting the brain, eyes, skin, immunity, and overall health. Early diagnosis of lower vitamin E levels helps replenish it through dietary modifications and identifying underlying diseases.
References
1. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminE-Consumer/#:~:text=Vitamin%20E%20needs%20some%20fat,is%20a
%20weakened%20immune%20system.
%20weakened%20immune%20system.
2. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321800#symptoms-of-deficiency
3. https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/vitamin-e/