What are the health benefits of Vitamin E? Vitamin E, recently has achieved increasing popularity. But with popularity has come controversy.

Due to the different opinions on the health benefits of Vitamin E, this article discusses both the benefits of Vitamin E as well as some of the questions concerning it – the pros & cons of Vitamin E so to speak. Vitamin E supplements can be found in many forms in vitamin and nutrition supplement sections of pharmacies, grocery stores and other shops. Sometimes it comes as a constituent part of a multi-vitamin supplement or sometimes as a Vitamin E capsule or as Vitamin E oil.

The fact is that vitamin E represents a class of dietary nutrients known as tocopherols and tocotrienols. Not all of the nutrients function the same when ingested either in food or a nutritional supplement or in a vitamin pill or capsule. Many of the dietary elements in these classes are considered good anti-oxidants, which have proven evidence of positive health effects. So this has led to a conclusion that there are real health benefits of vitamin E for many people.

Among the reported health benefits of Vitamin E that can be found in popular literature are claims that applied topically it can help promote healing of burns or sunburn, that it promotes cardiovascular health – a typical benefit of anti-oxidants, that helps mitigate hot flashes during menopause for women, that it helps to reduce the symptoms of PMS (pre-menstrual syndrome) in some women and that for men it can support prostate health.

One of the most widely followed health benefits of Vitamin E is in skin care. This is why it is common to find products such as shampoo, conditioner, skin lotion and skin creams containing Vitamin E, even some cosmetics. Due to its antioxidant properties, Vitamin E is believed to help protect skin cells from natural exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light, as well as other environmental degredants such as pollution, cigarette smoke, poor nutrition or drugs, additional vitamin E benefits. In this regard it is also believed that a benefit of Vitamin E is to play a role in reducing skin aging or reducing the incidence or depth of fine line skin wrinkles – another reason why there increasingly are found Vitamin E containing lotions and creams. Other anecdotal reports are that Vitamin E might also help with acne scars, although there also is contrary evidence that Vitamin E can have the opposite effect on scars.

Some people including a recent Wikipedia entry claim there is no research to support a conclusion that there are any health benefits of Vitamin E. In addition, taking too much Vitamin E, like mega doses of Vitamin E actually can be unhealthy and should be avoided. Doses as low as 400 IU or lower may meet this unhealthy threshold for many people. Accordingly, it is wise that if you are considering taking Vitamin E supplements to consult with a physician before doing. So, why do so many people believe there are real health benefits of Vitamin E? The reason likely is based on anecdotal evidence that repeatedly has shown a benefit of Vitamin E.

Among the natural sources of Vitamin E are: breakfast cereals, broccoli, some fish, sunflower seeds, green leafy vegetables such as spinach, tomato, mangoes, sweet potatoes, asparagus and pumpkin. Vitamin E supplements also are available from many supplement suppliers and found in the supplement sections of pharmacies.

This article on the benefits of vitamin E, health benefits and nutrition, contains information only, not medical advice. You should talk to a physician before making medical or health decisions.

Benefits Of Vitamin E Summary

• Controversy concerning health benefits of Vitamin E or lack of benefits
• Antioxidant
• Believed by many to promote healthy skin
• Some believe no benefits beyond antioxidant