Vitamin E is a type of fat-soluble anti-oxidant that is naturally found in food products such as sunflower oil, nuts, green leafy vegetables and certain fruits. While vitamin E may be applied as a topical treatment to prevent stretch marks, the Food and Nutrition Board at The Institute of Medicine recommends that adults consume no more than 15 mg per day. Discuss your intake or application of vitamin E with your medical practitioner before incorporating it into your diet and lifestyle.
Benefits of Vitamin E
Consuming healthy amounts of vitamin E aids in regulating PMS and supports cardiovascular health. In the presence of vitamin E, the body produces chemicals known as prostaglandins, which function to reduce the production of a hormone known as prolactin. The presence of prolactin increases during a woman's menstrual cycle and in lactating women, which Peter J. Snyder, M.D., believes to be responsible for many of the physical and emotional symptoms associated with menstruation and pregnancy.
Health Concerns
In February 2009, "BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology" published a case study of 600 mothers in which researchers discovered a link between consumption of vitamin E and newborns with congenital heart defects. The greatest risk occurred when pregnant women consumed vitamin E supplements in conjunction with a diet with a minimum of 15 mg vitamin E. Heart abnormalities may provoke difficulties in breathing and skin discoloration. Since vitamin E is a fat-soluble anti-oxidant, the body stores excess vitamin E rather than removing it via the urine, as it would with water-soluble antioxidants. This can be detrimental to both the fetus and a woman's reproductive system.
Oral Vitamin E
Side effects of consuming vitamin E orally during pregnancy may include fatigue, headache, blurred vision, skin rash, nausea or diarrhea. More serious health concerns involving too much vitamin E intake include bleeding or bruising complications due to anemia, or a decrease in red blood cells. In non-pregnant women, this may result in a longer period, which raises the risk of nutrient deficiencies due to increased blood loss.
Topical Vitamin E
Although no known side effects are associated with Vitamin E as a topical treatment, on rare occasions, the skin may exhibit an allergic reaction known as contact dermatitis, which is characterized as being flaky, inflamed or itchy. If you notice a mild rash on your skin upon contact with vitamin E, stop the topical treatment and contact your physician or dermatologist.
References
- PubMed.gov; "Effect of Vitamin E Therapy on Sexual Functions of Uremic Patients in Hemodialysis"; Yeksan M., et al.; November 1992
- PubMed.gov; "High Maternal Vitamin E Intake by Diet or Supplements is Associated with Congenital Heart Defects in the Offspring"; Smedts HP, et al.; February 2009
- Office of Dietary Supplements: Vitamin E
- Mayo Clinic; "Vitamin E"; April 2011
- Linus Pauling Institute: Vitamin E
- Institute of Medicine; "Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Selenium, and Carotenoids"; August 2000
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