Vitamin E
Acts as an antioxidant and helps protect cells from oxidative damage.
Why it matters
Vitamin E is an antioxidant that helps protect cells from oxidative damage. It also supports immune function and helps blood vessels work normally.
- Protects cell membranes from oxidative damage.
- Supports immune function.
- Helps blood vessels and cell signaling work normally.
If intake is too low
Vitamin E deficiency is uncommon in healthy adults, but it can happen with fat-malabsorption disorders. When it does, it can damage nerves and muscles and affect vision and immune function.
- Nerve and muscle damage.
- Loss of feeling or coordination problems.
- Vision problems and weaker immune function.
If intake is too high
High-dose vitamin E supplements can increase the risk of bleeding. Hemorrhagic stroke is also a concern at very high intakes.
- Higher bleeding risk, especially with anticoagulants.
- Possible hemorrhagic stroke risk at very high doses.
- Easy bruising or prolonged bleeding can be warning signs.
Adult upper limit: 1,000 mg/day
The upper limit is based on bleeding risk, so this is one nutrient where megadosing deserves real caution.
Common food sources
Vitamin E is concentrated in fats and oils, especially nuts, seeds, and vegetable oils.
- Sunflower seeds, almonds, peanuts, and hazelnuts
- Sunflower, safflower, and wheat germ oils
- Spinach, broccoli, and fortified cereals
Who may need closer attention
Deficiency is uncommon in healthy adults, but it matters more when fat absorption is poor.
- People with fat-malabsorption disorders
- Some premature infants
- Anyone on very restricted fat intake for long periods
Use extra caution if
Small details change the risk picture with nutrients more than most people expect.
You take blood thinners, have a bleeding disorder, or are preparing for surgery. High-dose vitamin E supplements are not a casual add-on.
Supplement and label notes
Useful context when this nutrient shows up across more than one product.
- Labels usually use alpha-tocopherol, and antioxidant formulas can contain much more than the DV.
- High-dose vitamin E is the main reason bleeding risk becomes a concern.
- If you already take fish oil, anticoagulants, or other blood-thinning products, avoid treating vitamin E as a harmless extra.
Daily Value targets in SuppMap
These are the same label-style Daily Value targets used in the app.
Official references
These pages were used to draft the summaries on this guide.
Educational only. These pages are not a diagnosis or a substitute for personal medical care.
More guides
Keep moving through the rest of the Daily Value chart from here.