Welcome to the world of vitamin E. According to many experts, this necessary nutrient is used by the body to yield some pretty amazing health results. Of course, there are those dissenters. Some claims are widely disputed, causing the scientific community to approach certain “miracles” associated with vitamin E with a set of cautious eyes.
Vitamins, in general, are either fat-soluble or water-soluble. Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin. This means that the body can store it. It also means that it’s important to be careful when loading up on vitamin E supplements because the body doesn’t need great amounts of it. Whereas the body can handle larger amounts of water-soluble vitamins (like vitamins B and C), too much of a fat-soluble vitamin can be toxic.
So why does the body need vitamin E?
Vitamin E is a warrior of sorts. First, it’s an antioxidant, meaning that it can fight harmful free radicals. This is especially important in the polluted world that we live in. Experts also say that vitamin E is a protective vitamin in that it prevents both vitamins A and C, red blood cells, and essential fatty acids from being destroyed. In addition, it assists the body in the use of vitamin K and in making red blood cells.
Some have argued that vitamin E may prevent cancer, leading to a lengthy and mixed debate. That’s because studies have linked those with cancer to low levels of Vitamin E, making scientists wonder if this nutrient can actually help with cancer prevention.