Although vitamin E has numerous functions in the body, it is an antioxidant nutrient that protects cells from free radical damage. This fat-soluble vitamin is involved in immune system function, nerve function and muscle growth. Vitamin E also protects red blood cells, which carry oxygen to the body’s tissues. Bone marrow, the tissue inside of bones, contains red blood cells.
Skeletal System
The skeletal system includes all the bones in the body as well as the tendons, ligaments and cartilage that connect them. The skeleton provides support for your body in addition to protecting your internal organs. Muscles are attached to bones, whereas tendons are fibrous tissue that attach muscle to bone. Bone tissue contains blood vessels, nerves and living cells. Vitamin E’s antioxidant abilities may play a role in the repair of connective tissue by neutralizing free radicals, which can damage the cells needed to repair tissue. The vitamin also helps protect red blood cells. Symptoms of vitamin E deficiency may include fat deposits in muscles, muscle degeneration and hemolysis – the destruction of red blood cells.
Vitamins A, C, D and K
The body needs vitamin C for collagen production – a key structural component of connective tissue. Low vitamin C intake can lead to impaired immune function, skin aging and joint weakness. While vitamin A contributes to new cell growth, vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium for strong bones along with regulating skeletal muscle function. Vitamin D deficiency can cause muscle weakness and stunted growth in children. Vitamin E prevents destruction of vitamins A and C. It also helps the body use vitamin K, which plays a role in bone mineralization by activating a protein in osteoblasts – cells that help make new bone.
Sources of Vitamin E
A wide variety of foods provide vitamin E. Nuts such as almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts and peanuts, sunflower seeds and vegetable oils are some of the best sources of the vitamin. Green leafy vegetables and fortified cereals are other sources high in vitamin E. Most of the vitamin E in American diets comes from canola, corn, cottonseed, sunflower, palm, soybean and other vegetable oils.
Vitamin E Deficiency
Although vitamin E deficiency is rare in this country, premature infants with extremely low birth weights and individuals who have fat-malabsorption disorders are those most likely to have a problem. Because the digestive tract needs fat to absorb vitamin E, people who have cystic fibrosis or Crohn’s disease may need to take water-soluble forms of vitamin E. Other individuals with rare inherited disorders who are unable to absorb dietary fat often require extremely large doses of supplemental vitamin E. Symptoms of vitamin E deficiency include impaired immune response, retinal eye disease and damage to the peripheral nervous system. Other symptoms may include skeletal myopathy – disease that affects the muscles connected to bones – or lack of muscle coordination that can affect the ability to walk.
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