Vitamin E toxicity can become a common issue as time passes. This is because of the way these Vitamin E supplements are marketed. Which makes almost everyone feel like they need a Vitamin E supplement. Even though their body doesn’t need it.
Vitamin E is a necessary vitamin that has numerous crucial functions in your body.
But as with many vitamins, taking too much might have negative health effects. It’s known as vitamin E toxicity or vitamin E overdose in this situation.
This page discusses vitamin E toxicity, its signs, symptoms, adverse effects, treatment options, and ways to avoid it.
What is Vitamin E Toxicity?
Vitamin E toxicity occurs when your body accumulates too much vitamin E, which can negatively affect your health.
A fat-soluble vitamin called vitamin E serves as an antioxidant. It could lower your risk of developing heart disease, some malignancies, visual issues, and mental health issues.
Maintaining dilated blood vessels and preventing blood clots from developing in your blood vessels is one of its primary tasks.
The Daily Value (DV) for vitamin E is 15 mg per day. The following foods are rich in vitamin E :
- Oils: soybean oil, sunflower oil, safflower oil, wheat germ oil, corn oil
- Nuts and seeds: sunflower seeds, almonds, hazelnuts, peanut butter, peanuts
- Fruits: kiwis, mangoes, tomatoes
- Vegetables: spinach, broccoli
Given that fat-soluble vitamins are stored in fat, they can build up in your body fat, especially if you’re taking in excessive amounts through diet or supplements
For vitamin E, the Upper Limit (UL) — or the amount that most people can consume daily through food and supplements without complications — is 1,000 mg.
Who Actually Needs a Vitamin E Supplement?
Due to the antioxidant and possibly anti-aging properties of vitamin E, many people take supplements to boost their immune systems, lower their cancer risk, or strengthen their hair, skin, and nails.
However, unless you are lacking in the vitamin, vitamin E pills are useless and of little use.
People who consume low-fat foods or have diseases like Crohn’s disease or cystic fibrosis that interfere with their capacity to process and absorb fats may be more susceptible to vitamin E deficiencies.
Side Effects & Symptoms of Vitamin E Toxicity
A high vitamin E intake can thin the blood and induce deadly hemorrhage. Additionally, it may prevent blood from clotting, your body’s natural safeguard against excessive bleeding after an accident.
Additionally, it has been connected to a higher risk of hemorrhagic stroke—a type of stroke brought on by brain bleeding.
Additionally, one study indicates that consuming too much vitamin E may increase the risk of dying from any cause, although additional research is required to confirm this association (8).
You shouldn’t take high amounts of vitamin E supplements due to these potentially severe hazards.
Also read Soybean Side Effects You Must Know
Potential Drug Interactions
There appears to be little risk of vitamin E interacting with medications when it’s consumed at normal levels.
Aspirin and warfarin can interact with high-dose vitamin E supplements, which are those that contain more than 300 mg daily.
They may also interfere with cyclosporine, an immunosuppressant used by those who have had organ transplants, and tamoxifen, a medication used to treat breast cancer.
You should speak with your healthcare professional if you are concerned about possible interactions between vitamin E supplements and your medications.
Treatment & Prevention of Vitamin E Toxicity
You can stop taking your vitamin E supplement as a treatment for mild vitamin E poisoning, but more severe consequences could need medical attention.
The best method to avoid vitamin E toxicity is to limit your daily vitamin E consumption, including that from food and supplements, below the UL of 1,000 mg. It is unlikely that an overdose will occur from consuming vitamin E-rich foods on their own.
However, when taken in excess of 300 mg daily, vitamin E supplements may start to interact with pharmaceuticals, and one study found a higher risk of stroke in those taking 180 mg.
The DV is only 15 mg, therefore most people don’t require anything near as much. Speak with your doctor if you have any queries or worries about vitamin E pills.
Additionally, be sure to keep these supplements in a secure location that is out of children’s access. Since vitamin E is fat-soluble, children are more likely to experience toxicity and other problems.
The bottom line
Despite being a vital ingredient, vitamin E can be used in excess, especially when taken as supplements.
The severe effects of vitamin E poisoning include blood thinning and may raise your risk of stroke and all-cause mortality.
Make sure you don’t consume more than 1,000 mg of vitamin E daily from food and supplements to avoid vitamin E poisoning.