The benefits of Vitamin E are many, and there are many different ways to use the powerful antioxidant. You've probably noticed that it comes in capsule or liquid form, and it's added to many skincare products. But how exactly does it help you stay looking and feeling great? Here's a look at a few of the benefits of Vitamin E:
One of the benefits of Vitamin E is that it helps your body produce new red blood cells. You definitely want to make sure that your red blood cell production line runs smoothly since the cells are responsible for delivering oxygen to your body's tissues. Getting enough Vitamin E also might help prevent blood clots. You could take a supplement, but I prefer to get as many of my nutrients as I can through natural sources so that I don't overdo it. If you do take supplements, the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for Vitamin E is 15 milligrams daily for adults.
Studies have shown that taking a Vitamin E supplement might reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. So getting enough of the antioxidant could help prevent heart attacks. Simply taking a supplement might be easier, but you don't get all the other health benefits of the foods that Vitamin E is found in. One of the foods with a very high amount of Vitamin E are sunflower seeds, which can be eaten as a snack or as a salad topping. And speaking of salad, greens like spinach and Swiss chard also contain high amounts of the antioxidant.
Slathering Vitamin E oil on your skin can actually help to protect it from the sun's harmful rays. However, it's probably not a good idea to completely replace your sunscreen with the oil. Instead you might try mixing a little of the moisturizing oil with your sunscreen whenever your skin is feeling dry. Interestingly, consuming enough of the vitamin can also protect your skin from the inside out. So if you head out to the beach, be sure to pack some almonds for a snack—they're another food that's packed with Vitamin E.
Studies have shown that high doses of Vitamin E might slow the onset of dementia. However, high doses of the vitamin can be toxic. In other words, don't start chugging bottles of Vitamin E oil like energy shots. It's important to consult a doctor about the correct amount to take and whether you or a loved one should be taking a supplement at all. Too much Vitamin E can cause symptoms like abdominal cramps, diarrhea, and fatigue.
High doses of Vitamin E have also been shown to help with allergic asthma. The antioxidant reduces oxidative stress, which is associated with asthma. Natural-source Vitamin E is more effective than synthetic forms of the vitamin. Natural Vitamin E is marked as d-alpha tocopherol, d-alpha tocopheryl acetate, or d-alpha tocopheryl succinate on supplement labels. However, once again, don't start taking large doses of the vitamin without consulting a doctor first.
Some studies have shown that Vitamin E can increase circulation to the scalp, which might strengthen hair follicles. It can also moisturize a dry scalp and dry, damaged hair. Many of the hot oil hair treatments that you can purchase at stores contain Vitamin E. Olive oil contains Vitamin E, and it's also a popular hair treatment. Just massage extra virgin olive oil into your scalp and on the dry ends of your hair and leave it on overnight (you might want to sleep in a shower cap). You'll wake up with a moisturized scalp and a shiny mane.
Studies have actually shown that Vitamin E oil doesn't help scars heal faster, and some people might suffer an allergic reaction to it. However, it can still be useful for those who aren't allergic to it. I've found that it's great for moisturizing my under-eye area, and you can slather it on chapped lips to lock moisture in. You can also use it as cuticle oil. Many foot oils contain Vitamin E, so you can make your own at home by mixing it with a thick moisturizer like cocoa butter or coconut oil. Taking a Vitamin E supplement has also been shown to reduce wrinkles and improve skin texture.
Vitamin E might sound like a miracle vitamin, but it's important to remember that you can get too much of a good thing. You also want to make sure that you get enough of its alphabetic vitamin pals since they seem to work so much better together. I highly recommend trying to accomplish this by eating a healthy, well-balanced diet since some studies have shown that multivitamins are basically a waste of money. How do you get your Vitamin E?