Identify and Treat a Vitamin E Deficiency

Why is vitamin E important?

Vitamin E is a powerful, fat-soluble antioxidant that helps protect cell membranes against damage caused by free radicals and prevents the oxidation of LDL cholesterol.

Vitamin E deficiency mainly arises from fat malabsorption. It causes neurological problems due to poor nerve conduction. Low birth weight can also cause vitamin E deficiency.

Vitamin E deficiency is rare unless in people with underlying medical conditions. When taken in high doses, it can put you at a higher risk of bleeding.

You should seek immediate medical attention if you experience the following symptoms of vitamin E deficiency:

difficulty with walking or coordination
muscle pain or weakness
visual disturbances
general unwellness

 

How to Prevent Vitamin E Deficiency?

Deficiency of vitamin E can be prevented by eating a diet rich in vitamin E. Food supplements of vitamin E are nuts, seeds, egg yolks, whole grains, and green leafy vegetables. Peanuts, soybean, corn oil, and sunflower seeds also contain vitamin E. Wheat germ oil is an important source of vitamin E. Identification and management of the underlying conditions is very important in the treatment of vitamin E deficiency

 

Vitamin E Requirement in the Body

Children aged 14 years and above and adults require 15 milligrams (mg) of vitamin E every day.
Children under this age require fewer doses of vitamin E as follows:

Ages 1 to 3: 3.6 mg per day
Ages 4 to 8: 8.7 mg per day
Ages 9 to 13: 11 mg per day

Causes of Vitamin E Deficiency

Vitamin E deficiency can occur if you have an underlying medical condition. There are several conditions that can interfere with your body’s ability to effectively absorb vitamin E. They include:

chronic pancreatitis
cholestasis
cystic fibrosis
primary biliary cirrhosis
Crohn’s disease
short bowel syndrome

There are cases where vitamin E deficiency occurs from a rare genetic condition referred to as ataxia. This is a neurological condition that interferes with your body’s ability to coordinate and make muscular movements. It normally affects children aged between 5 and 15 years.

 

Vitamin E Deficiency Diseases

Anaemia
Poor Balance
Hair Loss
Dry Skin
Cancer
Muscle Weakness
Leg Cramps
Atherosclerosis
Blindness
Fertility Problems