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Vitamin E Deficiency
As we eat more processed foods the amount of vitamin E in our diet continues to plummet. On this page, we will show you risks of not getting enough vitamin E.Vitamin E Requirements
 ©2006 Publicaitons International, Ltd. An early sign of vitamin E deficiency are lipofuscin or age spots. |
Side Effects of Vitamin E Deficiency
No obvious symptoms accompany a vitamin E deficiency, making it hard to detect. A brownish pigmentation of the skin, called age spots or lipofuscin, may signal the problem, but only a blood test can confirm that vitamin E levels are too low.
When diseases of the liver, gall bladder, or pancreas reduce intestinal absorption, a mild deficiency of vitamin E can result. A diet of processed foods that's very low in fat might also cause a deficiency.
Vitamin E deficiency can occur in newborn babies, especially those born prematurely, because the mother doesn't transfer much vitamin E to the developing fetus until the last few weeks of pregnancy.
The deficiency can cause hemolytic anemia, a condition in which the red blood cells are so fragile they rupture.
As we mentioned earlier, it has become increasingly difficult a sufficient amount of vitamin E in our diet. In our final section, we will look at the safety and utility of vitamin E supplements.
Vitamin E is just one of the many vitamins that are part of a healthy diet. Check out the following links to learn more:
- Vitamin A is the vitamin found in carrots that improves eyesight. Learn more in How Vitamin A Works.
- B vitamins come in many different varieties and have a volume of health benefits. How B Vitamins Work explains everything in detail.
- How Vitamin C Works will show you how this vitamin can strengthen your immune system and even fight cancer.
- Your body can make its own vitamin D if you get enough sunshine. Learn more at How Vitamin D Works.
- Vitamin K mostly affects the body's blood supply and the rate at which blood clots. How Vitamin K Works can tell you more.
- To learn about the many vitamins in our diet, how much you should be eating, and where to find them, go to our general Vitamins page.
- To find the best prices on vitamin E supplements, click here.
