Overview
What is vitamin E?
What are vitamin E’s main benefits?
What are vitamin E’s main drawbacks?
How does vitamin E work?
Dosage information
Formulation:
Tablets typically containing alpha-tocopherol.
Range of dosages studied:
7 to 1,400 milligrams per day or 16.5 to 3111 international units (IU) per day.
Effective Dosages:
Adults: The effective dosage for improving TNF-Alpha and CRP is 500–700 mg/day (1,111–1,555 IU/day), by mouth, for at least 8 weeks.[2]
Special considerations: It is currently uncertain whether the effect of reducing TNF-Alpha and CRP leads to improved health outcomes.[2]
Adults: The effective dosage for improving AST and ALT (particularly in people with NAFLD) is 180–360 mg/day (400–800 IU/day), by mouth, for at least 1 month.[3][4]
Special considerations: It is currently uncertain whether the effect of reducing liver enzymes in people with NAFLD leads to improved health outcomes.[4]
Other Considerations:
- Supplementation with high-dose vitamin E has several adverse effects. For further details, see What are vitamin E’s main drawbacks?.
- Vitamin E has several drug interactions: aspirin, warfarin, tamoxifen, and cyclosporine A.[5][6] If you use these medications, consult your doctor before taking a vitamin E supplement.
- The absorption of vitamin E is impaired in people with conditions affecting bile acid production. If you have such conditions, consult your doctor before taking a vitamin E supplement.[7]
What is the recommended dietary allowance for vitamin E?
The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for vitamin E is as follows:[8]
| Age | RDA Male | RDA Female | RDA Pregnancy | RDA Lactation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0–6 months | 4 mg/day* | 4 mg/day* | - | - |
| 6–12 months | 5 mg/day* | 5 mg/day* | - | - |
| 1–3 years | 6 mg/day | 6 mg/day | - | - |
| 4–8 years | 7 mg/day | 7 mg/day | - | - |
| 9–13 years | 11 mg/day | 11 mg/day | - | - |
| 14–18 years | 15 mg/day | 15 mg/day | 15 mg/day | 19 mg/day |
| 19+ years | 15 mg/day | 15 mg/day | 15 mg/day | 19 mg/day |
*Please note that the data for infants aged 0–12 months are adequate intake (AI) values, not RDA values.
What is the tolerable upper intake level for vitamin E?
The tolerable upper intake level (UL) for vitamin E is as follows:[8]
| Age | UL Male | UL Female | UL Pregnancy | UL Lactation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0–6 months | not defined | not defined | - | - |
| 6–12 months | not defined | not defined | - | - |
| 1–3 years | 200 mg/day | 200 mg/day | - | - |
| 4–8 years | 300 mg/day | 300 mg/day | - | - |
| 9–13 years | 600 mg/day | 600 mg/day | - | - |
| 14–18 years | 800 mg/day | 800 mg/day | 800 mg/day | 800 mg/day |
| 19+ years | 1,000 mg/day | 1,000 mg/day | 1,000 mg/day | 1,000 mg/day |
Examine Database: Vitamin E
Frequently asked questions
What is vitamin E deficiency?
What are other names for Vitamin E?
Update History
All new FAQs were added to this page.
major
Research Breakdown
References
Examine Database References
- CD8 Lymphocytes - Radhakrishnan AK, Lee AL, Wong PF, Kaur J, Aung H, Nesaretnam KDaily supplementation of tocotrienol-rich fraction or alpha-tocopherol did not induce immunomodulatory changes in healthy human volunteersBr J Nutr.(2009 Mar)
- Interferon Gamma - Mahalingam D, Radhakrishnan AK, Amom Z, Ibrahim N, Nesaretnam KEffects of supplementation with tocotrienol-rich fraction on immune response to tetanus toxoid immunization in normal healthy volunteersEur J Clin Nutr.(2011 Jan)
- Interferon Gamma - Pallast EG, Schouten EG, de Waart FG, Fonk HC, Doekes G, von Blomberg BM, Kok FJEffect of 50- and 100-mg vitamin E supplements on cellular immune function in noninstitutionalized elderly personsAm J Clin Nutr.(1999 Jun)
- Immunoglobulin G - Meydani SN, Barklund MP, Liu S, Meydani M, Miller RA, Cannon JG, Morrow FD, Rocklin R, Blumberg JBVitamin E supplementation enhances cell-mediated immunity in healthy elderly subjectsAm J Clin Nutr.(1990 Sep)
- White Blood Cell Count - Meydani SN, Meydani M, Blumberg JB, Leka LS, Siber G, Loszewski R, Thompson C, Pedrosa MC, Diamond RD, Stollar BDVitamin E supplementation and in vivo immune response in healthy elderly subjects. A randomized controlled trialJAMA.(1997 May 7)
- C-Reactive Protein (CRP) - Singh I, Turner AH, Sinclair AJ, Li D, Hawley JAEffects of gamma-tocopherol supplementation on thrombotic risk factorsAsia Pac J Clin Nutr.(2007)
- Cardiovascular Disease Mortality - Buring JEAspirin prevents stroke but not MI in women; vitamin E has no effect on CV disease or cancerCleve Clin J Med.(2006 Sep)
- Stroke Risk - Loh HC, Lim R, Lee KW, Ooi CY, Chuan DR, Looi I, Kah Hay Y, Abdul Karim Khan NEffects of vitamin E on stroke: a systematic review with meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis.Stroke Vasc Neurol.(2021 Mar)
- Stroke Risk - Schürks M, Glynn RJ, Rist PM, Tzourio C, Kurth TEffects of vitamin E on stroke subtypes: meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.BMJ.(2010 Nov 4)
- C-Reactive Protein (CRP) - Economides PA, Khaodhiar L, Caselli A, Caballero AE, Keenan H, Bursell SE, King GL, Johnstone MT, Horton ES, Veves AThe effect of vitamin E on endothelial function of micro- and macrocirculation and left ventricular function in type 1 and type 2 diabetic patientsDiabetes.(2005 Jan)
- Oxidative Stress Biomarkers - Roberts LJ 2nd, Oates JA, Linton MF, Fazio S, Meador BP, Gross MD, Shyr Y, Morrow JDThe relationship between dose of vitamin E and suppression of oxidative stress in humansFree Radic Biol Med.(2007 Nov 15)
- Oxidative Stress Biomarkers - Meagher EA, Barry OP, Lawson JA, Rokach J, FitzGerald GAEffects of vitamin E on lipid peroxidation in healthy personsJAMA.(2001 Mar 7)
- Oxidative Stress Biomarkers - Rasool AH, Yuen KH, Yusoff K, Wong AR, Rahman ARDose dependent elevation of plasma tocotrienol levels and its effect on arterial compliance, plasma total antioxidant status, and lipid profile in healthy humans supplemented with tocotrienol rich vitamin EJ Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo).(2006 Dec)
- High-density lipoprotein (HDL) - Meydani SN, Meydani M, Blumberg JB, Leka LS, Pedrosa M, Diamond R, Schaefer EJAssessment of the safety of supplementation with different amounts of vitamin E in healthy older adultsAm J Clin Nutr.(1998 Aug)
- Neutrophil Count - Meydani SN, Meydani M, Rall LC, Morrow F, Blumberg JBAssessment of the safety of high-dose, short-term supplementation with vitamin E in healthy older adultsAm J Clin Nutr.(1994 Nov)
- Blood Flow - Gazis A, White DJ, Page SR, Cockcroft JREffect of oral vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) supplementation on vascular endothelial function in Type 2 diabetes mellitusDiabet Med.(1999 Apr)
- All-Cause Mortality - Lee IM, Cook NR, Gaziano JM, Gordon D, Ridker PM, Manson JE, Hennekens CH, Buring JEVitamin E in the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease and cancer: the Women's Health Study: a randomized controlled trialJAMA.(2005 Jul 6)
- Prostate Cancer Risk - Lippman SM, Klein EA, Goodman PJ, Lucia MS, Thompson IM, Ford LG, Parnes HL, Minasian LM, Gaziano JM, Hartline JA, Parsons JK, Bearden JD 3rd, Crawford ED, Goodman GE, Claudio J, Winquist E, Cook ED, Karp DD, Walther P, Lieber MM, Kristal AR, Darke AK, Arnold KB, Ganz PA, Santella RM, Albanes D, Taylor PR, Probstfield JL, Jagpal TJ, Crowley JJ, Meyskens FL Jr, Baker LH, Coltman CA JrEffect of selenium and vitamin E on risk of prostate cancer and other cancers: the Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT)JAMA.(2009 Jan 7)
- Prostate Cancer Risk - Heinonen OP, Albanes D, Virtamo J, Taylor PR, Huttunen JK, Hartman AM, Haapakoski J, Malila N, Rautalahti M, Ripatti S, Mäenpää H, Teerenhovi L, Koss L, Virolainen M, Edwards BKProstate cancer and supplementation with alpha-tocopherol and beta-carotene: incidence and mortality in a controlled trialJ Natl Cancer Inst.(1998 Mar 18)
- Prostate Cancer Risk - Klein EA, Thompson IM Jr, Tangen CM, Crowley JJ, Lucia MS, Goodman PJ, Minasian LM, Ford LG, Parnes HL, Gaziano JM, Karp DD, Lieber MM, Walther PJ, Klotz L, Parsons JK, Chin JL, Darke AK, Lippman SM, Goodman GE, Meyskens FL Jr, Baker LHVitamin E and the risk of prostate cancer: the Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT)JAMA.(2011 Oct 12)
- Prostate Cancer Risk - Lonn E, Bosch J, Yusuf S, Sheridan P, Pogue J, Arnold JM, Ross C, Arnold A, Sleight P, Probstfield J, Dagenais GR, HOPE and HOPE-TOO Trial InvestigatorsEffects of long-term vitamin E supplementation on cardiovascular events and cancer: a randomized controlled trialJAMA.(2005 Mar 16)
- Total cholesterol - Sanyal AJ, Chalasani N, Kowdley KV, McCullough A, Diehl AM, Bass NM, Neuschwander-Tetri BA, Lavine JE, Tonascia J, Unalp A, Van Natta M, Clark J, Brunt EM, Kleiner DE, Hoofnagle JH, Robuck PR, NASH CRNPioglitazone, vitamin E, or placebo for nonalcoholic steatohepatitisN Engl J Med.(2010 May 6)
- Total cholesterol - T Hasegawa, M Yoneda, K Nakamura, I Makino, A TeranoPlasma transforming growth factor-beta1 level and efficacy of alpha-tocopherol in patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis: a pilot studyAliment Pharmacol Ther.(2001 Oct)
- Cirrhosis Severity - Sumida Y, Naito Y, Tanaka S, Sakai K, Inada Y, Taketani H, Kanemasa K, Yasui K, Itoh Y, Okanoue T, Yoshikawa TLong-term (>=2 yr) efficacy of vitamin E for non-alcoholic steatohepatitisHepatogastroenterology.(2013 Sep)
- Liver Fat - Chee NM, Sinnanaidu RP, Chan WKVitamin E improves serum markers and histology in adults with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease: Systematic review and meta-analysis.J Gastroenterol Hepatol.(2024 Aug 16)
- Liver Enzymes - Miwa Kawanaka, Sabina Mahmood, Gouichi Niiyama, Akiyoshi Izumi, Ayumi Kamei, Hideji Ikeda, Mitsuhiko Suehiro, Kazumi Togawa, Takayo Sasagawa, Misako Okita, Hajime Nakamura, Junji Yodoi, Gotaro YamadaControl of oxidative stress and reduction in biochemical markers by Vitamin E treatment in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis: a pilot studyHepatology Research.()
- TNF-Alpha - Wu JH, Ward NC, Indrawan AP, Almeida CA, Hodgson JM, Proudfoot JM, Puddey IB, Croft KDEffects of alpha-tocopherol and mixed tocopherol supplementation on markers of oxidative stress and inflammation in type 2 diabetesClin Chem.(2007 Mar)
- Thromboxane B2 - Clarke MW, Ward NC, Wu JH, Hodgson JM, Puddey IB, Croft KDSupplementation with mixed tocopherols increases serum and blood cell gamma-tocopherol but does not alter biomarkers of platelet activation in subjects with type 2 diabetesAm J Clin Nutr.(2006 Jan)
- DNA Damage - Winterbone MS, Sampson MJ, Saha S, Hughes JC, Hughes DAPro-oxidant effect of alpha-tocopherol in patients with type 2 diabetes after an oral glucose tolerance test--a randomised controlled trialCardiovasc Diabetol.(2007 Feb 22)
- DNA Damage - Sampson MJ, Astley S, Richardson T, Willis G, Davies IR, Hughes DA, Southon SIncreased DNA oxidative susceptibility without increased plasma LDL oxidizability in Type II diabetes: effects of alpha-tocopherol supplementationClin Sci (Lond).(2001 Sep)
- Type 2 Diabetes Incidence - Liu S, Lee IM, Song Y, Van Denburgh M, Cook NR, Manson JE, Buring JEVitamin E and risk of type 2 diabetes in the women's health study randomized controlled trialDiabetes.(2006 Oct)
- Rheumatoid Arthritis Risk - Karlson EW, Shadick NA, Cook NR, Buring JE, Lee IMVitamin E in the primary prevention of rheumatoid arthritis: the Women's Health StudyArthritis Rheum.(2008 Nov 15)
- Triglycerides - Tsai AC, Kelley JJ, Peng B, Cook NStudy on the effect of megavitamin E supplementation in manAm J Clin Nutr.(1978 May)
- Triglycerides - P M Farrell, J G BieriMegavitamin E supplementation in manAm J Clin Nutr.(1975 Dec)
- Serum T4 - Kitagawa M, Mino MEffects of elevated d-alpha(RRR)-tocopherol dosage in manJ Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo).(1989 Apr)
- Dysmenorrhea Symptoms - Ziaei S, Faghihzadeh S, Sohrabvand F, Lamyian M, Emamgholy TA randomised placebo-controlled trial to determine the effect of vitamin E in treatment of primary dysmenorrhoeaBJOG.(2001 Nov)
- Dysmenorrhea Symptoms - Ziaei S, Zakeri M, Kazemnejad AA randomised controlled trial of vitamin E in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhoeaBJOG.(2005 Apr)
- Dysmenorrhea Symptoms - Kashanian M, Lakeh MM, Ghasemi A, Noori SEvaluation of the effect of vitamin E on pelvic pain reduction in women suffering from primary dysmenorrheaJ Reprod Med.(2013 Jan-Feb)
- Free Testosterone - Yeksan M, Polat M, Türk S, Kazanci H, Akhan G, Erdogan Y, Erkul IEffect of vitamin E therapy on sexual functions of uremic patients in hemodialysisInt J Artif Organs.(1992 Nov)
- Anxiety Symptoms - Dadkhah H, Ebrahimi E, Fathizadeh NEvaluating the effects of vitamin D and vitamin E supplement on premenstrual syndrome: A randomized, double-blind, controlled trialIran J Nurs Midwifery Res.(2016 Mar-Apr)
- PMS Symptoms - Mandana Z, Azar AComparison of the Effect of Vit E, VitB6, Calcium and Omega-3 on the Treatment of Premenstrual Syndrome: A Clinical Randomized TrialAnnu Res Rev Biol.()
- PMS Symptoms - London RS, Sundaram G, Manimekalai S, Murphy L, Reynolds M, Goldstein PThe effect of alpha-tocopherol on premenstrual symptomatology: a double-blind study. II. Endocrine correlatesJ Am Coll Nutr.(1984)
- Aerobic Exercise Metrics - Rokitzki L, Logemann E, Huber G, Keck E, Keul Jalpha-Tocopherol supplementation in racing cyclists during extreme endurance trainingInt J Sport Nutr.(1994 Sep)
- Aerobic Exercise Metrics - McAnulty SR, McAnulty LS, Nieman DC, Morrow JD, Shooter LA, Holmes S, Heward C, Henson DAEffect of alpha-tocopherol supplementation on plasma homocysteine and oxidative stress in highly trained athletes before and after exhaustive exerciseJ Nutr Biochem.(2005 Sep)
- Blood Flow - Skyrme-Jones RA, O'Brien RC, Berry KL, Meredith ITVitamin E supplementation improves endothelial function in type I diabetes mellitus: a randomized, placebo-controlled studyJ Am Coll Cardiol.(2000 Jul)
- Weight - Meydani SN, Leka LS, Fine BC, Dallal GE, Keusch GT, Singh MF, Hamer DHVitamin E and respiratory tract infections in elderly nursing home residents: a randomized controlled trialJAMA.(2004 Aug 18)
- Thromboembolism Risk - Glynn RJ, Ridker PM, Goldhaber SZ, Zee RY, Buring JEEffects of random allocation to vitamin E supplementation on the occurrence of venous thromboembolism: report from the Women's Health StudyCirculation.(2007 Sep 25)
- All-Cause Mortality - McNeil JJ, Robman L, Tikellis G, Sinclair MI, McCarty CA, Taylor HRVitamin E supplementation and cataract: randomized controlled trialOphthalmology.(2004 Jan)
- Asthma Symptoms - Pearson PJ, Lewis SA, Britton J, Fogarty AVitamin E supplements in asthma: a parallel group randomised placebo controlled trialThorax.(2004 Aug)
- Hair Regrowth - Beoy LA, Woei WJ, Hay YKEffects of tocotrienol supplementation on hair growth in human volunteersTrop Life Sci Res.(2010 Dec)
- Alzheimer's Disease Risk - Wang W, Li J, Zhang H, Wang X, Zhang XEffects of vitamin E supplementation on the risk and progression of AD: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Nutr Neurosci.(2021 Jan)
- Alzheimer's Disease Risk - Petersen RC, Thomas RG, Grundman M, Bennett D, Doody R, Ferris S, Galasko D, Jin S, Kaye J, Levey A, Pfeiffer E, Sano M, van Dyck CH, Thal LJ, Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study GroupVitamin E and donepezil for the treatment of mild cognitive impairmentN Engl J Med.(2005 Jun 9)
- Alzheimer's Disease Risk - Farina N, Llewellyn D, Isaac MGEKN, Tabet NVitamin E for Alzheimer's dementia and mild cognitive impairment.Cochrane Database Syst Rev.(2017 Apr 18)
- Alzheimer's Disease Symptoms - Dysken MW, Sano M, Asthana S, Vertrees JE, Pallaki M, Llorente M, Love S, Schellenberg GD, McCarten JR, Malphurs J, Prieto S, Chen P, Loreck DJ, Trapp G, Bakshi RS, Mintzer JE, Heidebrink JL, Vidal-Cardona A, Arroyo LM, Cruz AR, Zachariah S, Kowall NW, Chopra MP, Craft S, Thielke S, Turvey CL, Woodman C, Monnell KA, Gordon K, Tomaska J, Segal Y, Peduzzi PN, Guarino PDEffect of vitamin E and memantine on functional decline in Alzheimer disease: the TEAM-AD VA cooperative randomized trialJAMA.(2014 Jan 1)
- Alzheimer's Disease Symptoms - Sano M, Ernesto C, Thomas RG, Klauber MR, Schafer K, Grundman M, Woodbury P, Growdon J, Cotman CW, Pfeiffer E, Schneider LS, Thal LJA controlled trial of selegiline, alpha-tocopherol, or both as treatment for Alzheimer's disease. The Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative StudyN Engl J Med.(1997 Apr 24)
- Cognitive Decline - Kang JH, Cook N, Manson J, Buring JE, Grodstein FA randomized trial of vitamin E supplementation and cognitive function in womenArch Intern Med.(2006 Dec 11-25)
- Scar Healing - Jenkins M, Alexander JW, MacMillan BG, Waymack JP, Kopcha RFailure of topical steroids and vitamin E to reduce postoperative scar formation following reconstructive surgeryJ Burn Care Rehabil.(1986 Jul-Aug)
- Scar Healing - Baumann LS, Spencer JThe effects of topical vitamin E on the cosmetic appearance of scarsDermatol Surg.(1999 Apr)
- Breast Tenderness - Parsay S, Olfati F, Nahidi STherapeutic effects of vitamin E on cyclic mastalgiaBreast J.(2009 Sep-Oct)
- Breast Tenderness - Shobeiri F, Oshvandi K, Nazari MClinical effectiveness of vitamin E and vitamin B6 for improving pain severity in cyclic mastalgiaIran J Nurs Midwifery Res.(2015 Nov-Dec)
- Ulcerative Colitis Symptoms - Seyed-Amir Mirbagheri, Behtash-Ghazi Nezami, Solmaz Assa, Mannan HajimahmoodiRectal administration of d-alpha tocopherol for active ulcerative colitis: a preliminary reportWorld J Gastroenterol.(2008 Oct 21)
- Plasma Vitamin E - Okebukola PO, Kansra S, Barrett JVitamin E supplementation in people with cystic fibrosis.Cochrane Database Syst Rev.(2020-Sep-06)
- Liver Enzymes - Wen H, Deng H, Yang L, Li L, Lin J, Zheng P, Bjelakovic M, Ji GVitamin E for people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.Cochrane Database Syst Rev.(2024 Oct 16)
- Creatinine - Meng L, Liu S, Cui WRenal protective effects of vitamin E for drug-induced kidney injury: a meta-analysis.Front Pharmacol.(2025)
