Vitamin E deficiency diseases - do you know them?

Vitamin E is a fat soluble vitamin that encompasses a group of eight compounds, called tocopherols and tocotrienols. It is an antioxidant that protects body tissue from damage caused by substances called free radicals. 

Dietary source

Good food sources of vitamin E include vegetable oils, avocados, spinach, sunflower seeds, wheat germ, nuts, and whole grains.

Vitamin E teams up with various vitamins to perform the following functions: 

• Antiodixation: Oxygen, the ultimate requirement for our survival, is also capable of damaging our cells if a certain balance is not maintained. Vitamin E prevents the oxidative stressing of the cells i.e. leveling the balance.
• It penetrates into the skin cell membranes and protects it against strong Ultra Violet(UV) rays.     
• It structurally and functionally maintains the skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscle.
• Assists in the formation of red blood cells and helps to maintain stores of vitamins A and K, iron, and selenium. 
• Strengthens the immune health, protects against the oxidative damage that can lead to heart disease, prevents cancer. Studies have proven that Vitamin E protects against oral, pharyngeal, and cervical cancer.
• Helps relieve symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, and may help prevent some diabetes-related damage, particularly to the eyes.

Vitamin E deficiency diseases

A deficiency of Vitamin E can lead to fat malabsorption syndromes like abetalipoproteinemia, cystic fibrosis, and cholestatic liver disease. Let’s glance through the cause and symptoms of each: 

• Abetalipoproteinemia: 

Due to the inability of the system to fully absorb dietry fats, cholesterol and fat-soluble vitamins the patient will witness signs like failure to gain weight and grow, formation of abnormally-shaped red blood cells and abnormalities.  

• Cystic fibrosis :

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic condition in which the lungs and digestive system become clogged with thick sticky mucus. Symptoms include persistent cough, recurring chest and lung infections, poor weight gain

• Cholestatic liver disease: 

Cholestasis is any condition in which substances normally excreted into bile are retained. 

Deficiency of Vitamin E is a rare condition and it is diagnosed at a very early stage, apparent from the physical body structure. Most people would increase its  intake to loosen up blocked arteries or blood vessels. Be sure to keep your Vitamin E level Good !