Vitamin E Risk Summary

Risk Factor: A*
Class: VITAMINS

Fetal Risk Summary

Vitamin E (tocopherols) comprises a group of fat-soluble vitamins that are essential for human health, although their exact biologic function is unknown (1). The National Academy of Sciences' recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for vitamin E in pregnancy is 10 mg (1).

Vitamin E concentrations in mothers at term are approximately 45 times that of the newborn (2,3,4,5,6,7 and 8). Levels in the mother rise throughout pregnancy (3). Maternal blood vitamin E usually ranges between 9 and 19 g/mL with corresponding newborn levels varying from 2 to 6 g/mL (2,3,4,5,6,7,8 and 9). Supplementation of the mother with 1530 mg/day had no effect on either maternal or newborn vitamin E concentrations at term (4). Use of 600 mg/day in the last 2 months of pregnancy produced about a 50% rise in maternal serum vitamin E ( 8 g/mL) but a much smaller increase in the cord blood ( 1 g/mL) (7). Although placental transfer is by passive diffusion, passage of vitamin E to the fetus is dependent on plasma lipid concentrations (8,9 and 10). At term, cord blood is low in b-lipoproteins, the major carriers of vitamin E, in comparison with maternal blood; as a consequence, it is able to transport less of the vitamin (8). Because vitamin E is transported in the plasma by these lipids, recent investigations have focused on the ratio of vitamin E (in milligrams) to total lipids (in grams) rather than on blood vitamin E concentrations alone (9). Ratios above about 0.60.8 are considered normal depending on the author cited and the age of the patients (9,11,12).

Vitamin E deficiency is relatively uncommon in pregnancy, occurring in less than 10% of all patients (3,4,13). No maternal or fetal complications from deficiency or excess of the vitamin have been identified. Doses far exceeding the RDA have not proved to be harmful (7,14,15). Early studies used vitamin E in conjunction with other therapy in attempts to prevent abortion and premature labor, but no effect of the vitamin therapy was demonstrated (16,17). Premature infants born with low vitamin E stores may develop hemolytic anemia, edema, reticulocytosis, and thrombocytosis if not given adequate vitamin E in the first months following birth (15,18,19). In two studies, supplementation of mothers with 500600 mg of vitamin E during the last 12 months of pregnancy did not produce values significantly different from controls in the erythrocyte hemolysis test with hydrogen peroxide, a test used to determine adequate levels of vitamin E (7,15).

In summary, neither deficiency nor excess of vitamin E has been associated with maternal or fetal complications during pregnancy. In well-nourished women, adequate vitamin E is consumed in the diet and supplementation is not required. If dietary intake is poor, supplementation up to the RDA for pregnancy is recommended.

[* Risk Factor C if used in doses above the RDA.]

Breast Feeding Summary

Vitamin E is excreted into human breast milk (11,12,20,21). Human milk is more than 5 times richer in vitamin E than cow's milk and is more effective in maintaining adequate serum vitamin E and vitamin E:total lipid ratio in infants up to 1 year of age (11,21). A 1985 study measured 2.3 g/mL of the vitamin in mature milk (20). Milk obtained from preterm mothers (gestational age 2733 weeks) was significantly higher, 8.5 g/mL, during the 1st week and then decreased progressively over the next 6 weeks to 3.7 g/mL (20). The authors concluded that milk from preterm mothers plus multivitamin supplements would provide adequate levels of vitamin E for very-low-birth-weight infants (<1500 g and appropriate for gestational age).

Japanese researchers examined the pattern of vitamin E analogues (a-, g-, d-, and b-tocopherols) in plasma and red blood cells from breast-fed and bottle-fed infants (22). Several differences were noted, but the significance of these findings to human health is unknown.

Vitamin E applied for 6 days to the nipples of breast-feeding women resulted in a significant rise in infant serum levels of the vitamin (23). The study group, composed of 10 women, applied the contents of one 400-IU vitamin E capsule to both areolae and nipples after each nursing. Serum concentrations of the vitamin rose from 4 to 17.5 g/mL and those in a similar group of untreated controls rose from 3.4 to 12.2 g/mL. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (p<0.025). Although no adverse effects were observed, the authors cautioned that the long-term effects were unknown.

The National Academy of Sciences' RDA of vitamin E during lactation is 12 mg (1). Maternal supplementation is recommended only if the diet does not provide sufficient vitamin E to meet the RDA.

References

1. American Hospital Formulary Service. Drug Information 1997. Bethesda, MD: American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, 1997:28323.
2. Moyer WT. Vitamin E levels in term and premature newborn infants. Pediatrics 1950;6:8936.
3. Leonard PJ, Doyle E, Harrington W. Levels of vitamin E in the plasma of newborn infants and of the mothers. Am J Clin Nutr 1972;25:4804.
4. Baker H, Frank O, Thomson AD, Langer A, Munves ED, De Angelis B, Kaminetzky HA. Vitamin profile of 174 mothers and newborns at parturition. Am J Clin Nutr 1975;28:5965.
5. Dostalova L. Correlation of the vitamin status between mother and newborn during delivery. Dev Pharmacol Ther 1982;4(Suppl l):4557.
6. Kaminetzky HA, Baker H. Micronutrients in pregnancy. Clin Obstet Gynecol 1977;20:36380.
7. Mino M, Nishino H. Fetal and maternal relationship in serum vitamin E level. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol 1973;19:47582.
8. Haga P, Ek J, Kran S. Plasma tocopherol levels and vitamin E/B-lipoprotein relationships during pregnancy and in cord blood. Am J Clin Nutr 1982;36:12004.
9. Martinez FE, Goncalves AL, Jorge SM, Desai ID. Vitamin E in placental blood and its interrelationship to maternal and newborn levels of vitamin E. J Pediatr 1981;99:298300.
10. Hill EP, Longo LD. Dynamics of maternal-fetal nutrient transfer. Fed Proc 1980;39:23944.
11. Martinez FE, Jorge SM, Goncalves AL, Desai ID. Evaluation of plasma tocopherols in relation to hematological indices of Brazilian infants on human milk and cows' milk regime from birth to 1 year of age. Am J Clin Nutr 1984;39:96974.
12. Mino M, Kitagawa M, Nakagawa S. Red blood cell tocopherol concentrations in a normal population of Japanese children and premature infants in relation to the assessment of vitamin E status. Am J Clin Nutr 1985;41:6318.
13. Kaminetzky HA, Langer A, Baker O, Frank O, Thomson AD, Munves ED, Opper A, Behrle FC, Glista B. The effect of nutrition in teen-age gravidas on pregnancy and the status of the neonate. I. A nutritional profile. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1973;115:63946.
14. Hook EB, Healy KM, Niles AM, Skalko RG. Vitamin E: teratogen or anti-teratogen? Lancet 1974;1:809.
15. Gyorgy P, Cogan G, Rose CS. Availability of vitamin E in the newborn infant. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med 1952;81:5368.
16. Kotz J, Parker E, Kaufman MS. Treatment of recurrent and threatened abortion. Report of two hundred and twenty-six cases. J Clin Endocrinol 1941;1:83849.
17. Shute E. Vitamin E and premature labor. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1942;44:2719.
18. Oski FA, Barness LA. Vitamin E deficiency: a previously unrecognized cause of hemolytic anemia in the premature infant. J Pediatr 1967;70:21120.
19. Ritchie JH, Fish MB, McMasters V, Grossman M. Edema and hemolytic anemia in premature infants. A vitamin E deficiency syndrome. N Engl J Med 1968;279:118590.
20. Gross SJ, Gabriel E. Vitamin E status in preterm infants fed human milk or infant formula. J Pediatr 1985;106:6359.
21. Friedman Z. Essential fatty acids revisited. Am J Dis Child 1980;134:397408.
22. Mino M, Kijima Y, Nishida Y, Nakagawa S. Difference in plasma- and red blood cell-tocopherols in breast-fed and bottle-fed infants. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol 1980;26:10312.
23. Marx CM, Izquierdo A, Driscoll JW, Murray MA, Epstein MF. Vitamin E concentrations in serum of newborn infants after topical use of vitamin E by nursing mothers. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1985;152:66870.
    
    

Questions and Answers

vitamin E?????, i have an itchy skin and i don't want it to scar? does vitamin E in softgel capsules prevent scarring?

I've been using vitamin E oil the past couple weeks to help prevent scarring on a piercing I removed.

Vitamin E helps tissues become more relaxed in the area.
I'm not sure how itchy skin could leave a scar unless you're really getting into it.

And, I'm not sure if the capsule will help as much as a topical dose, but if you try it won't hurt you.

How can you tell if the Vitamin E in my beauty care products is natural and not synthetic?, Beauty Care- Synthetic Vitamin E vs. Natural Vitamin E?
How to tell if vitamin E is not synthetic in beauty products?
If a beauty product says it has Vitamin E (a-tocopherol), how do I know if this is not the synthetic version?

I'm not sure if there is a way to find out other than asking the manufacture itself. Call their questions/comments hotline to see.

What exactly does vitamin E do for acne scar?, I was wondering if Vitamin E is good for reducing redness from a pimple scar? Does vitamin e stimulate collagen build in some sort? How effective is vitamin e from your experience on acne scars?

More recent studies show vitamin E does nothing. They now think it's actually the rubbing/massaging of the scar when you apply some kind of ointment that helps with healing.

Vitamin E oil too heavy to use under eye for wrinkles?, I'd rather use pure vitamin e rather than use products formulated for under eye area but I don't want the skin to sag or get worn out b/c of heavy product.

Is vitamin e oil too heavy?

Go for Burt's Bees Eye Radiance cream. Awesome stuff!

How long does vitamin E cream take to heal scars?, I bought Vitamin E cream and it says it contains the effective emollients Vitamin E,Aloe Vera,Wheat Germ,Sunflower Seed Oil,Collagen and Elastin.Would this help heal an acne scar?If so how often should I apply the cream to the scar and how long will it take to heal?

First of all,it all depends on the scar.If it is a new scar,it would take 1 to 2 months to heal completely.If it is an old scar,it will take 2 to 4 months to heal.However,since yours is an acne scar,it will be easier for it to fade provided you always apply Vitamin E on your scar twice daily.However,you could always take Vitamin E supplements since it will promote faster healing internally.Plus,using a facial scrub once a week could fade scars easier since it will exfoliate your dead skin cells.Hope I helped(:

P/s:You could also try Mederma if you want since it works for acne scar.Plus,it is the most effective scar treatment product you could get at a local pharmacy.Good luck!!

Can Vitamin E and green tea help improve sperm count mobility?, If so what are the great food source of vitamin E and sperm production enhancers?

I am currently in the planning phase for baby making.

Any great ideas out there?

Thanks.

I don't know if it increased sperm count but I recommend that you take Ginseng tablets available at GNC or any other vitamin store. I was on them at one time and my sex drive increased five fold. It was pretty amazing actually. There was no other change that I noticed but I was doing it five time a day.

What is the best vitamin e oil? Does it really work as well as people say it does?, I had a lot of questions about reducing/lightening some acne scars and a few stretch marks. All the answers pointed to vitamin e oil or cocoa butter or even both (also strivectin but you have to apply that 3 times a day and it's costly). I was wondering what brands might work best and where to get them? Any tips on how often to apply or other tricks you might have would be great too. Thanks!

My fave vitamin e oil has been discontinued. St.Ives makes a great collagen and elastin cream and lotion under $10. Their products are really good and cost effective.

Alpha hydroxy and retinol and retin A encourage cell reproduction. Salicylic acid is a great mild astringent in toners that do the same thing. Mederma also is supposed to get rid of scars, but I haven't tried it.

Use a sunscreen and stay out of the sun. Don't believe anyone who tell you that tanning will work, because it won't and you'll only wind up doing further damage to your skin PLUS accentuate your stretchmarks and scars.

Some great skin supplements are flax seed and evening primrose oil, but if your skin is naturally very oily, you might want to try a low dosage, if at all.

Good luck!

In what ways can Vitamin E benefit a dog?, I have vitamin E and I could've sworn I heard somewhere its beneficial to dogs. Is it?

Could I use this bottle of vitamin E for anything? LoL

It is very beneficial. Heart, eyes, joints, and immune system among other reasons. Don't overfeed it and also make sure there isn't an excess amount already in your dogs food.

What are the benefits of vitamin e cream?, I have acne scars and am DESPERATE to fade them. I have tried a ridiculous amount of things – for the last 4–5 months I’ve been adding rosehip oil to my moisturizer each night, but it’s not helping! Does vitamin e do anything? Or does anyone have other remedies? Keep in mind I’m a broke student so I’m on a budget.

Vitamin E is very good for your skin but it can cause to clog your pours! IT is really good even if you have acne!
And makes your face feel nice for a while but then oily
The benefits can be really good but won
't make it really disappear get some more information from this website
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitamin_E

How does vitamin e oil actually heal scars?, Looking for informed answer as to how vitamin e oil actually heal scars,what it does?.I am using it currently to treat a few acne scars,I am seeing an improvement but like to know how things work that I use on and I put in my body.
Thanks.

It is an anti toxic.

"It has been claimed that α-tocopherol is the most important lipid-soluble antioxidant, and that it protects cell membranes from oxidation by reacting with lipid radicals produced in the lipid peroxidation chain reaction. This would remove the free radical intermediates and prevent the oxidation reaction from continuing."

This is how it may be helping with the scars.

edit. I did some research, and this is what I found.

Vitamin E is also an antioxidant. Although not as strong of one as Vitamin A, Vitamin E still does help to rid the skin of toxins which can lead to acne and helps to clear up existing acne. Vitamin E also promotes tissue repair and healing of the skin, two important aspects that help to both strengthen the skin and also to prevent damage caused by acne to become permanent. Additionally, Vitamin E prevents cell damage by inhibiting the oxidation of lipids (fats) and the formation of free radicals.

Continue reading here: Gabapentin Risk Summary

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