Vitamin E
Vitamin ·Exploratory record · not publication-reviewed ·Updated July 13, 2026
A fat-soluble antioxidant that protects cell membranes from oxidative damage. Important for skin health and immune function; cardiovascular outcome benefits from routine supplementation are not established.
Exploratory record, not a reviewed medical publication.
See the editorial and medical-review policies for the publication gate.
This generated database record has not completed a claim-level review by a qualified human medical reviewer. Bibliography links and evidence labels are not approval. The page remains available for reference and is excluded from search indexing.
What the research says.
A quick, data-only summary. The full evidence, dosing, and sources are below.
Vitamin E is a vitamin most often used for antioxidant protection, skin health, immune support. NutriStack rates the overall evidence as moderate. A typical adult dose is 100–200 IU daily when specifically indicated; avoid routine 400 IU/day unless clinician-supervised, commonly taken as mixed tocopherols or d-alpha-tocopherol (natural form). This profile indexes 19 sources.
The bottom line
Evidence rating moderate. Most-documented uses: antioxidant protection, skin health, immune support. 19 sources indexed (2005–2025), with 0 interaction records on file.
How it works, mechanistically.
Core mechanism
Integrates into cell membranes and lipoproteins, donating hydrogen atoms to neutralize lipid peroxyl radicals, breaking the chain reaction of lipid peroxidation. Works synergistically with vitamin C, which regenerates oxidized vitamin E.17
Dosing & protocol.
What it actually costs.
Real-world pricing across three quality tiers. Assumes Mixed Tocopherols.
Assumes a moderate daily dose. Mixed tocopherol and tocotrienol formulas are what usually move this category into premium territory. Updated 2026-04-02.
The same dose, as food.
How much you'd eat to match a supplemental dose.
Supplement-style intakes are hard to reach from food alone.
Food can cover the RDA more easily than high-IU supplement doses.
Full safety detail.
Sources, by evidence tier.
Numbered references. Citations throughout the page link here.
Meta-analyses & systematic reviews
13- 1Vitamin C and E antioxidant supplementation may significantly reduce pain symptoms in endometriosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trialsPMIDBayu P, Wibisono JJ · PLoS One · 2024
In 5 RCTs, vitamin C and E combination was associated with higher proportion of reduced chronic pelvic pain (RR 7.30, 95% CI 3.27-16.31), alleviation of dysmenorrhea (RR 1.96), and dyspareunia (RR 5.08) in endometriosis patients.
- 2Vitamin E Does not Favor Recovery After Exercises: Systematic Review and Meta-analysisPMIDde Lima KS, Schuch F, Righi NC et al. · International journal of sports medicine · 2024
de Lima KS, Schuch F, Righi NC et al.. Vitamin E Does not Favor Recovery After Exercises: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. International journal of sports medicine. 2024
- 3Vitamin E and Multiple Health Outcomes: An Umbrella Review of Meta-AnalysesPMIDHuang Y et al. · Nutrients · 2023
Umbrella review of meta-analyses; only association between circulating alpha-tocopherol and reduced wheeze/asthma in children was substantiated by consistent evidence
- 4Comparative effects of vitamin and mineral supplements in the management of type 2 diabetes in primary care: A systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trialsPMIDXia J, Yu J, Xu H et al. · Pharmacological Research · 2023
In 170 RCTs with 14,223 participants, vitamin E supplements ranked best in reducing LDL cholesterol levels (SUCRA 80.0%). Network meta-analysis showed micronutrient supplements, especially vitamin E, may be efficacious in managing T2DM.
- 5Pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of tocotrienols in healthy human volunteers: a systematic reviewPMIDSharif M, Khan DA, Farhat K et al. · JPMA. The Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association · 2023
Sharif M, Khan DA, Farhat K et al.. Pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of tocotrienols in healthy human volunteers: a systematic review. JPMA. The Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association. 2023
- 6Vitamin E intake and multiple health outcomes: an umbrella reviewPMIDZhang T, Yi X, Li J et al. · Frontiers in public health · 2023
Zhang T, Yi X, Li J et al.. Vitamin E intake and multiple health outcomes: an umbrella review. Frontiers in public health. 2023
- 7The Effect of Vitamin E Supplementation in Postmenopausal Women-A Systematic ReviewPMIDFeduniw S, Korczyńska L, Górski K et al. · Nutrients · 2022
Feduniw S, Korczyńska L, Górski K et al.. The Effect of Vitamin E Supplementation in Postmenopausal Women-A Systematic Review. Nutrients. 2022
- 8Alpha-tocopherol and contrast-induced nephropathy: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trialsPMIDMonami M, Cignarelli A, Pinto S et al. · International journal for vitamin and nutrition research. Internationale Zeitschrift fur Vitamin- und Ernahrungsforschung. Journal international de vitaminologie et de nutrition · 2021
Monami M, Cignarelli A, Pinto S et al.. Alpha-tocopherol and contrast-induced nephropathy: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. International journal for vitamin and nutrition research. Internationale Zeitschrift fur Vitamin- und Ernahrungsforschung. Journal international de vitaminologie et de nutrition. 2021
- 9Beneficial Effects of Vitamin E Supplementation on Endothelial Dysfunction, Inflammation, and Oxidative Stress Biomarkers in Patients Receiving Hemodialysis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled TrialsSource linkedPMIDAhmadi A, Mazooji N, Roozbeh J et al. · Int J Vitam Nutr Res · 2021
- 10Systematic review and meta-analyses of vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) supplementation and blood lipid parameters in patients with diabetes mellitusSource linkedPMIDAsbaghi O, Sadeghian M, Nazarian B et al. · Diabetes Metab Syndr · 2021
- 11Vitamin E and all-cause mortality: a meta-analysisPMIDAbner EL et al. · Curr Aging Sci · 2011
Meta-analysis of 57 trials (246,371 subjects) produced RR of 1.00; vitamin E unlikely to affect mortality regardless of dose up to 5,500 IU/day
- 12Effects of vitamin E on stroke subtypes: meta-analysis of randomised controlled trialsPMIDSchurks M, Glynn RJ, Rist PM et al. · BMJ · 2010
22% increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke, 10% reduced ischemic stroke risk
- 13Meta-analysis: high-dosage vitamin E supplementation may increase all-cause mortalityPMIDMiller ER 3rd et al. · Ann Intern Med · 2005
High-dosage vitamin E supplementation (>=400 IU/day) may increase all-cause mortality; dose-response analysis shows increased risk starting at 150 IU/day
Randomized controlled trials
3- 14Vitamin E supplementation and pneumonia risk in males who initiated smoking at an early ageSource linkedPMIDHemila H · Eur Respir J · 2020
- 15Vitamin E and the risk of prostate cancer: the Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT)PMIDKlein EA et al. · JAMA · 2011
Among 35,533 men, vitamin E 400 IU/day significantly increased prostate cancer risk (HR 1.17; 99% CI 1.004-1.36) compared to placebo
- 16Vitamin E supplementation and cardiovascular events in high-risk patients (HOPE-TOO trial)Source linkedPMIDLonn E, Bosch J, Yusuf S et al. · JAMA · 2005
Reviews & position papers
3- 17Vitamin E (alpha-Tocopherol): Emerging Clinical Role and Adverse Risks of Supplementation in AdultsPMIDVarious · Nutrients · 2025
High-dose vitamin E supplementation may increase risks; beneficial antioxidant properties may be outweighed by harmful interference in normal cellular processes at high doses
- 18ESPEN micronutrient guidelinePMIDBerger MM, Shenkin A, Schweinlin A et al. · Clinical Nutrition · 2022
Comprehensive guideline proposing 170 recommendations for 26 micronutrients including vitamin E. Critical micronutrient deficiencies were identified in numerous acute and chronic diseases with monitoring and management strategies proposed.
- 19A Systematic Review of Effects of Vitamin E on the Cardiovascular SystemPMIDAshor AW et al. · Front Nutr · 2021
Observational studies showed inverse association between vitamin E and cardiovascular disease; interventional trials were negative. No overall cardiovascular benefit from supplementation
Common questions.
Quick answers about Vitamin E, drawn from the data on this page.
What is Vitamin E?
A fat-soluble antioxidant that protects cell membranes from oxidative damage. Important for skin health and immune function; cardiovascular outcome benefits from routine supplementation are not established.
What is Vitamin E used for?
Commonly cited benefits of Vitamin E include: Antioxidant protection; Skin health; Immune support; Anti-inflammatory. NutriStack rates the overall evidence as moderate.
What is a typical dose of Vitamin E?
A typical adult dose of Vitamin E is 100–200 IU daily when specifically indicated; avoid routine 400 IU/day unless clinician-supervised. The commonly recommended form is Mixed tocopherols or d-alpha-tocopherol (natural form). These are general ranges, not personalized advice; confirm the right dose with a clinician.
What are the side effects of Vitamin E?
Reported side effects include increased bleeding risk at high doses, nausea, increased prostate cancer risk at 400 iu/day (select trial), 22% increased hemorrhagic stroke risk. This is educational information; check with a healthcare professional before use.
How strong is the evidence for Vitamin E?
NutriStack rates this as Moderate, meaning several aligned RCTs or one large RCT plus supporting reviews. Full tier criteria are at https://nutristackapp.com/methodology/evidence-tiers.
Use this with your stack
Vitamin E in NutriStack.
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