Did you know that vitamin E is known as the essential vitamin?
And that’s because it’s involved in basically every biological function required to live – NBD!
It’s also known as one of the fat-soluble vitamins, which means it’s absorbed with the fats you eat and any excess is able to be stored within the body. This is important to remember when consuming foods that are high in vitamin E or when taking a vitamin E supplement – but we will touch more on that later!
Consuming enough Vitamin E is crucial for your reproductive system, your immune function, and your muscle health. It is also an antioxidant, which means it protects your cells from damage caused by free radicals. Free radical damage is associated with cancer, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s disease, so its prevention is vital.
What I’m trying to say is… vitamin E is a biological superhero!
Vitamin E Deficiency
So what happens when you don’t consume enough vitamin E? Here are some common signs of deficiency:
- Neuromuscular impairment (muscle weakness, numbness or tingling, trouble with balance, etc.)
- Infertility and other reproductive issues
- Menstrual problems
- Damage to red blood cells
- Destruction of nerves
- Heart stress
These symptoms are obviously no joke! Not getting enough vitamin E has scary short term side effects and even scarier long term side effects. So let’s make sure you are getting the recommended daily amount, which is 15 milligrams a day for adults.
Vitamin E Foods
The good news is that the majority of people with a balanced diet get the recommended amount of vitamin E. For those of you who want to ensure your spot in that majority, here are the foods you’ll want on your grocery list:
- Eggs
- Red peppers
- Avocados
- Wheat germ oil
- Salmon
- Sunflower seeds
- Butternut squash
- Broccoli
- Almonds
Vitamin E + Selenium = The Dynamic Duo
Your extra credit assignment: Consume vitamin E with a nutrient called selenium for a disease-fighting boost! Although these two have separate jobs in the body, they work together to stop cell damage and, thus, prevent disease.
Selenium can be found in brazil nuts, spinach, seafood, whole wheat bread, and liver.
Nature’s Sunshine – my very favorite supplement company – has a supplement that combines vitamin E and selenium. Remember, if you are taking a supplement for vitamin E, make sure to take it with a meal that contains fat, as it is a fat-soluble vitamin. Find the combo supplement here.
Do you have any recipes that combine high vitamin E and selenium ingredients? How about meals with healthy fats so you can ensure the absorption of your vitamin E supplement? Please feel free to share them below!
Don’t forget to subscribe to Lemon Blossom Wellness to receive our latest wellness information in realtime!
Be well!