Vitamin E

Sources:

• Seeds: sunflower
• Nuts: almonds, hazelnuts,
• Green vegetables: spinach, broccoli
• Fruit: kiwi, mango, tomato,

Deficiency:

Found in women on low-fat diets or those with digestion issues.

Uses:

• Specific nutrient for hormonal health
• Specific nutrient for heart and general cardiovascular health
• Helps prevent cancer
• Helps to prevent/reduce all chronic disease
• Enhances immune function
• Good for eyesight issues as it's needed for a healthy retina, can reduce your risk of age-related macular degeneration and cataract formation
• Plays a role in cognitive maintenance
• Works as an anti-oxidant and protects against free radical damage
• Topically to heal and lubricate mucous membranes. I often suggest Vitamin E pessaries to women to reduce their vaginal dryness and itch
• Topically for hemorrhoids, Vitamin E is also available as a suppository to help heal hemorrhoids.
• Topical for burns, chapped lips, reduces stretch marks and scars. Some even say it helps reduce wrinkles?

Medication interactions:

• Do NOT take Vitamin E with blood-thinning drugs such as Rivaroxaban, Plavix, Eliquis, aspirin or warfarin as they may increase your risk of bleeding. Check with your prescribing doctor if you are unsure.
• Do NOT take Vitamin E if you are on HIV medication such as Tipranavir, as it may increase your risk of bleeding.

Fun Facts:

Vitamin E was discovered in 1922 when researchers gave female rats a low Vitamin E diet. All pregnant rats had litters that were stillborn. They later added lettuce and wheat germ (high Vitamin E sources), and healthy babies were born.

Vitamin E is so important for all stages of reproductive health. Menopause included.