What is vitamin
E
Vitamin E is key
for strong immunity and healthy skin and eyes. In recent years, vitamin E
supplements have become popular as antioxidants. These are substances that
protect cells from damage. However, the risks and benefits of taking vitamin E
supplements are still unclear.
Why do people take vitamin E
Many people use
vitamin E supplements in the hopes that the vitamin's antioxidant properties
will prevent or treat disease. But studies of vitamin E for preventing cancer, heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer's
disease, cataracts, and many other conditions have been disappointing.
So far, the only
established benefits of vitamin E supplements are in people who have an actual
deficiency. Vitamin E deficiencies are rare. They're more likely in people who
have diseases, such as digestive problems and cystic fibrosis. People on very
low-fat diets may also have low levels of vitamin E
The Benefits of Vitamin E
Antioxidant
Vitamin E is an
antioxidant. It may help protect your cells from damage. This essential
nutrient occurs naturally in many foods. It’s also available as a dietary
supplement. Sometimes, it’s in processed foods. Vitamin E is fat-soluble. This
means your body stores and uses it as needed.
The term
“vitamin E” describes eight different compounds. Alpha-tocopherol is the most
active one in humans.
Longer cell life
You’ve probably
seen rust on your bike or car. A similar process of oxidation and accelerated
aging takes place in your body when cells are exposed to molecules called free
radicals. Free radicals weaken and break down healthy cells. These molecules
may also contribute to heart disease and cancer.
Extra protection
Vitamin E may
help people with higher environmental or lifestyle risk factors. Free radicals
are increased by:
cigarette smoking
exposure to air
pollution
high exposure to
ultraviolet rays from sunlight
Vitamin E may
help repair damaged cells.
It’s difficult
to consume too much vitamin E in your regular diet. It’s neither risky nor
harmful to obtain vitamin E from food sources.
Free radicals
form as a result of normal body processes. They cause damage that shortens the
life of your cells. Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that may help reduce
free radical damage and slow the aging process of your cells, according to the
National Institutes of Health (NIH).
What can vitamin E do for your hair?
Early research
suggests that vitamin E can help improve overall scalp and hair health. More
studies are needed to truly understand its possible benefits.
Prevent hair loss
A small trial
from 2010 found that vitamin E supplements improved hair growth in people with
hair loss. It’s thought that the vitamin’s antioxidant properties helped reduce
oxidative stress in the scalp. Oxidative stress has been linked with hair loss.
Improve scalp circulation
Vitamin E may
increase blood flow, which is said to improve hair health. Researchers in one
1999 study found that high doses of vitamin E increased blood flow to the eyes
in people with type 1 diabetes.
A separate 2001
study found that increased blood supply encouraged hair growth and increased
the hair follicle and size in mice.
However, more
research is needed to see if vitamin E directly affects blood supply to the
scalp and if so, what that means for hair growth.
Balance oil production
Vitamin E is
important for creating a protective barrier on the skin’s surface. This barrier
helps lock in moisture. Dry, irritated skin can be a sign of vitamin E
deficiency.
Although it’s
unclear whether topical vitamin E can balance out scalp oil production, oils
that contain vitamin E — like avocado oil — may help moisturize the scalp. They
may also help prevent excess oil production.
Add shine
Hair can look
dull and frizzy when it’s damaged. When the protective fat layer on the outside
of the hair’s cuticle is removed, it loses its shine and becomes difficult to
manage or style according to the Academy of Dermatology. A vitamin E-rich oil
can help replace that protective layer and bring back shine. Oil in general
also helps seal out moisture, reduce breakage, and protect the hair from damage.
Support a healthy scalp
Vitamin E is
essential for healthy skin — and this includes your scalp. Poor scalp health is
linked to lackluster hair quality. Vitamin E supports the scalp and gives your
hair a strong base to grow from by reducing oxidative stress and preserving the
protective lipid layer
Ten potential
benefits
Vitamin E oil's
potential benefits derive from two key features: its antioxidant properties,
which could fight inflammation and slow the effects of free radicals, and its
moisturizing properties.
Some purported benefits of vitamin E oil include:
Moisturizing skin
Vitamin E is
found in many moisturizers, and the oil may be used as a moisturizer to prevent
or treat dry, flaking skin.
Wound healing
Some research
suggests that vitamin E supplements may promote wound healing. It is possible
that topical vitamin E oil might offer similar benefits, but there is little
research on the subject.
Skin cancer prevention
A 2013 study
found that mice given supplements containing vitamin E were less likely to
develop skin cancer, even when exposed to large quantities of ultraviolet
light. These results prompted some supporters of vitamin E oil and supplements
to claim that it can prevent skin cancer.
However, studies on humans have not found any skin cancer prevention benefits associated with vitamin E.
Reducing skin itchingWoman itches her armVitamin E may help to reduce itchy skin and ease eczema.Vitamin E cannot treat allergic reactions, infections, and other issues that cause skin itching.
Because it
moisturizes the skin, however, it may offer temporary relief from itching
caused by dry skin.
Keeping skin well moisturised may help to prevent dry skin, and prevent symptoms such as itchiness. Any kind of oil safe for skin may offer these benefits.
Eczema
Vitamin E may
alleviate the dryness, itching, and flaking associated with eczema, or atopic
dermatitis.
One study found
that oral vitamin E supplements could produce significant improvements in
eczema symptoms. Though vitamin E oil has not been well-studied in the
treatment of eczema, it may increase the effectiveness of topical moisturizers.
Psoriasis
At least one
study has linked topical vitamin E to a reduction in psoriasis symptoms. Even
better, the study showed that there were no serious side effects.
However, the effects of vitamin E on psoriasis were not as good as most readily available treatments. Vitamin E oil might be a good option for people who want to avoid prescription remedies and who have mild psoriasis.
Preventing or
minimizing the appearance of scars
Folk wisdom has
long suggested that vitamin E, applied to the skin, taken as a supplement, or
both, might treat scars, or prevent them from forming in the first place. But
research does not support this claim and has found no association between
vitamin E use and scar prevention.
In one older
study from 1999, almost one-third of participants had an allergic reaction to
topical vitamin E, suggesting the oil is more likely to make scarring worse
rather than prevent it.
A more recent
literature review found that evidence about whether vitamin E improved or
worsened scarring was inconclusive.
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