Vitamin E Toxicity

How Vitamin E Works

Vitamin E is one of the fat soluble vitamins. There are many interesting facts about vitamin E. Vitamin E is an antioxidant vitamin essential for fertility and reproduction. Vitamin E also prevents the breakdown of body tissues.

There are numerous reliable food sources of vitamin E. Alpha-tocopherol is the most significant type of vitamin E for humans. It prevents oxidation from free radicals while protecting cell membranes and LDL cholesterol in the body. This is especially significant because the oxidation of LDL cholesterol can trigger heart attacks and strokes. Alpha-tocopherol is very important because it helps prevent blood clotting. When taken in high doses, vitamin E in can potentially impair blood clotting and increase the risk for hemorrhage.

Vitamin E Interaction with Other Drugs

Vitamin E can be very harmful when taken in association with certain other drugs. Taking too much vitamin E can potentially increase the blood thinning function of Coumadin. Coumadin is a common anti-coagulant medication used for the preventative treatment of blood clotting. Patients taking too much vitamin E can increase their risk for bleeding.

Patients taking Coumadin, or similar medications, should consult their physicians before taking vitamin E supplements. Patients with a vitamin K deficiency should also ask their doctors before taking vitamin E supplements.

Symptoms of Vitamin E Toxicity

There are some signs to look for which might indicate that you are suffering from toxicity related to taking too much vitamin E. Some of these signs include:

• Muscle weakness
• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Diarrhea
• Risk of bleeding

Vitamin E toxicity is very rare in humans. As vitamin supplements become more pervasive in developed countries, the risk increases because often people take more supplements than their bodies need. The pervasive availability of vitamin supplements in developed nations adds to the risk for taking an unnecessarily high dose of vitamin E.

Many adults take vitamin E supplements without any incident. 400 to 800 milligrams per day usually can be taken without any harm. Occasionally, some minor symptoms of vitamin E toxicity may develop. Bleeding risk is the major risk of vitamin E toxicity, yet this usually does not occur unless individuals are taking anti-coagulant medications, or daily doses of vitamin E in excess of 1000 milligrams.

Megadoses

Often times, people will overmedicate themselves for minor illnesses by taking large amounts of vitamins. These large doses are known as megadoses. Megadoses can potentially produce many symptoms, including fatigue, headache, diarrhea, and double vision.

Animal studies have shown that large doses of vitamin E might interfere with how the other fat soluble vitamins are absorbed. The implication is that taking large amounts of vitamin E can lead to deficiencies of other essential vitamins such as vitamin D, vitamin K and vitamin A.

Vitamin supplements are an enormous business, and many people swear by taking them almost ritually. Though folic acid supplements can greatly improve health, there is little or no connection whatsoever between good health and healthy individuals who take vitamin supplements. Most adults in developed countries can easily get enough vitamin E through eating a well-balanced diet. Still, people continue to take vitamin supplements at levels higher than the recommended dosage.

Summary

Vitamin E is an essential nutrient that is most commonly obtained through dietary sources. Some people may unknowingly take more vitamin E than their bodies require. Vitamin E supplements can lead to vitamin E toxicity.

The most significant danger of toxicity is the risk of bleeding. Taking too much vitamin E can also inhibit the absorption of other fat soluble vitamins essential to the human body. It is usually not necessary to take vitamin E supplements. Those showing any signs of potential toxicity should consult their doctors.