What Is Vitamin E Good For?

I have seen where low blood levels of vitamin E are linked to greater physical decline as we get older. Since the economy is in the shape it is in, it looks like I will have to extend my working years, and will need to stay active longer.

I decided to look up who may need extra vitamin E to prevent a deficiency or in diseases where vitamin E plays a role and came up with a very brief summary:

Individuals who cannot absorb fat may require a vitamin E supplement because some dietary fat is needed in order to absorb vitamin E from your intestines. These include Crohn's Disease, and Cystic Fibrosis. They may need a special water-soluble form of vitamin E.

Abetalipoproteinemia is a rare inherited disorder of fat metabolism that results in poor absorption of dietary fat and vitamin E. These Individuals may be prescribed special vitamin E supplements by a physician to treat this disorder. Ataxia and vitamin E deficiency (AVED) is also a rare inherited disorder. It is caused by a genetic defect in a liver protein. These people have such severe vitamin E deficiency that without supplements they are unable to walk (ataxia).

Very low birth weight infants may be deficient in vitamin E. These infants are usually under the care of a neonatologist, a pediatrician specializing in the care of newborns, who, evaluates and treats the exact nutritional needs of premature infants.

A study was conducted in Tuscany Italy from 1998-2000, on people between 70-80, and the findings provided a solid base that low concentration of vitamin E contributes to decline in physical function in older people between 70-80.

Preliminary research has led to a widely held belief that vitamin E may help prevent or delay coronary heart disease. Researchers have reported that oxidative changes to LDL-cholesterol (sometimes called "bad" cholesterol) promote blockages (atherosclerosis) in coronary arteries that may lead to heart attacks.

Antioxidants such as vitamin E are believed to help protect cell membranes against the damaging effects of free radicals, which may contribute to the development of chronic diseases such as cancer.

Some evidence associates higher intake of vitamin E with a decreased incidence of prostate cancer and breast cancer.

A study of women in Iowa provides evidence that an increased dietary intake of vitamin E may decrease the risk of colon cancer, especially in women under 65 years of age.
Observational studies have found that lens clarity, which is used to diagnose cataracts, was better in regular users of vitamin E supplements and in persons with higher blood levels of vitamin E.

The number of things vitamin E was associated with surprised me, and also how in the studies already done researchers cannot yet confidently recommend vitamin E supplements for the prevention of any of the issues noted because the evidence on this issues are inconsistent and limited. Even though I should probably be able to get what I need daily in a balanced diet, with my family history I choose to continue to supplement my nutrition needs with a little E just in case.