Vitamin E is an important vitamin in the health and development of men. Vitamin E describes a group of several vitamins known as tocopherols. Alpha-tocopherol is the form of vitamin E that has the most nutritional significance. It is a fat-soluble vitamin, which means vitamin E is stored within the body, in the liver and fatty tissues.
Function
Vitamin E is an antioxidant, helping protect cells against the damage of free radicals. Free radicals are molecules formed during the body's metabolic process that can be harmful to the tissues. Free radicals are also formed through environmental exposure to cigarette smoke, ultraviolet light from the sun and air pollution. Vitamin E protects essential fats necessary for maintaining the integrity of cells. Alpha-tocopherol also protects red blood cells and helps in the functioning of the immune system.
Sources
Good sources of vitamin E include vegetable oils and margarine. According the Colorado State University, about 60 percent of vitamin E comes from these foods. The rest comes from fruits, vegetables, grains and fortified cereals. Green vegetables provide some vitamin E. The other source of vitamin E is nutritional supplements, either multivitamins or single supplements. The daily requirement for vitamin E intake in males is 15 mg. People with conditions that decrease the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, like cystic fibrosis and Crohn's disease, need extra vitamin E supplements.
Health Effects
Several studies have investigated the role of vitamin E in the prevention of diseases like cancer, heart disease and stroke. According to the American Cancer Society, some studies suggest that vitamin E has a protective effect against prostate, bladder, and colorectal cancers. Vitamin E supplements may interact with the effect of chemotherapy agents in people undergoing cancer treatment.
Vitamin E Deficiency
Vitamin E deficiency is rare but can occur in men with conditions that impair the absorption of the vitamin from the gut. The symptoms of vitamin E deficiency include slowed reflexes, inability to tell the position of your limbs and generalized muscle weakness. Vitamin E deficiency can also cause hemolytic anemia, in which the red blood cells become fragile and break easily.
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