Our body needs vitamin E, among other things, to maintain our cells or for our immune system. You can find out here which people have an increased risk of vitamin E deficiency and how this manifests itself.
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What do we need vitamin E for?
Our body needs vitamin E for a strong immune system and functioning cell protection. Vitamin E also inhibits inflammatory processes and protects our nerves. We absorb vitamin E mainly through food. Vegetable oils such as wheat germ or rapeseed oil are good sources of vitamin E. Nuts and seeds such as almonds or hazelnuts and flaxseed also provide us with theTolfioow vitamin. Did you know? A tablespoon of wheat germ oil or a handful of hazelnuts already cover the daily requirement of 11 to 15 milligrams for an adult.
Our tip: Since vitamin E is sensitive to sunlight and oxygen, you should always close foodstuffs such as vegetable oils well and store them in the dark. If your oil smells rancid, this is usually an indication that a large part of the vitamin E has oxidized. The vitamin is quite resistant to heat.
Vitamin E deficiency: These individuals are at increased risk
If you eat a balanced and healthy diet, you don’t have to worry about a vitamin E deficiency. However, people with chronic intestinal diseases such as celiac disease, Crohn’s disease or pancreatitis have an increased risk of developing a vitamin E deficiency. Due to the digestive disorders, the absorption of vitamin E from food is prevented or impaired. A vitamin E deficiency also threatens people who eat a very low-fat or one-sided diet over a longer period of time. Babies born prematurely can sometimes have a vitamin E deficiency. Since they have an increased need for vitamin E, they only have a very small vitamin E store.
This is how you recognize a vitamin E deficiency
- immune deficiency
- fatigue
- headache
- difficulty concentrating
- Reduced efficiency
- Tremble
- emotional disturbances
- Circulatory disorders, especially in the arms and legs
- Disorder of muscle and nerve function
- cracked skin
- Poor wound healing
- disease of the retina
- Vitamin E deficiency in premature babies: In babies, the deficiency manifests itself as anemia, muscle weakness, cerebral hemorrhage or damage to the retina of the eyes.
Important: If you have the symptoms over a longer period of time or if they keep coming back, you should see your family doctor and have your blood checked. There may be a vitamin E deficiency, but since some of the symptoms are unspecific, other causes or deficiencies can also be considered.
Taking vitamin E: You have to pay attention to this
Vitamin E deficiency can be diagnosed with a blood test. To remedy a vitamin E deficiency, vitamin preparations and dietary supplements are recommended. However, you should discuss the intake and correct dosage with your doctor beforehand. An overdose can have serious consequences: high doses of vitamin E can reduce the blood’s ability to clot. The risk of a stroke can also increase significantly. (Good to know: an overdose through food is normally not possible.) Therefore, read the package leaflet and follow the dosage instructions given there. The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) proposes a maximum of 30 mg of vitamin E (= 44 IU) in food supplements. Tip: So that the body can utilize the vitamin,
