All about Vitamin E!

It's common knowledge that vitamin E is good for our skin, but even week ago I couldn't tell you exactly what this nutrient does.

Vitamin E is a powerful, fat soluble antioxidant that protects cell membranes against damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals can harm cells, tissues and organs, but antioxidants are agents that neutralize the oxidant effect of free radicals, which are molecules that damage collagen and cause skin dryness, fine lines and wrinkles.

Antioxidants neutralize free radicals and prevent cellular damage, vitamin E is one of the most powerful antioxidants, but our body can't produce it, which means we have to make sure that we're getting enough of this valuable nutrient. Therefore, the use of vitamin E in the prevention of UV induced damage has been extensively studied.

There is limited information concerning the effects of vitamin E supplement on photodamage, which is commonly observed as skin wrinkling. Although vitamin E can protect mice exposed to UV from excessive skin wrinkling, this is a photoprotective effect rather than treatment of pre existing wrinkles.

Vitamin E and oils containing tocopherols have been reported to have moisturizing properties.

Food Sources :

The best way to get the daily requirement of vitamin E is by eating food sources. Vitamin E is found in the following foods:

• Vegetable oils - sunflower, safflower, corn, soybean oils...
• Nuts - such as almonds, peanuts and hazelnuts
• Seeds, such as sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds
• Green leafy vegetables - spinach, broccoli...

Products made from these foods, like margarine, also contains vitamin E.

Vitamin E is necessary for structural maintenance of skeletal, cardiac, and muscle.

The body also needs vitamin E to help keep the immune system strong against viruses and bacteria, it is also important in the formation of red blood cells and it helps the body use vitamin K, vitamin A, iron and selenium.

Vitamin E deficiency is rare in humans, so don't worry and have some green leafy veggies :)