Vitmin E (alpha-tocopherol acetate) is a very popular vitamin, as many people believe it is the vitamin that will slow down the aging process and keep their skin looking fresh and young. Vitamin E was first discovered in the 1920s, but only now as a result of numerous studies are we appreciating the important work that it does in the body. It does seem that vitamin E offers a multitude of benefits.
The benefits of vitamin E
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin that is carried around the body by the blood and is stored in the fatty tissues and the liver. It is one of the natural antioxidants that help protects cells from free radicals (substances that damage and kill off healthy cells). This has lead some doctors to believe that vitamin E can help slow down the aging process.
Heart disease
Vitamin E is essential for healthy heart function and circulation by protecting our cells and helping prevent the build up of plaque in the arteries. It also thins the blood to help prevent heart disease. Recent studies have shown that vitamin E supplementation significantly lowers the risk of heart disease. Some doctors believe that it can protect the heart from strokes and heart attacks by reducing the harmful bad cholesterol in our arteries. Vitamin E has also been shown to increase the body’s immune response and therefore protect against disease and cancer.
Skin: Helps with condition, regeneration and youthful appearance. Helps heal skin and it can prevent thick scar formation and accelerate the healing of burns.
Blood pressure: Vitamin E has been shown in some studies to help reduce blood pressure.
Cell Respiration: Maximizes the availability of oxygen to organs and muscles. Some athletes take this supplement for this reason.
Reproduction: Essential for a healthy reproductive system.
Eye health: Cataracts appear to be formed by the oxidation of proteins in the lens of the eye, which may be prevented by antioxidants such as alpha-tocopherol. To date, observational studies have examined the association between vitamin E consumption and the incidence and severity of cataracts.
Vitamin E supplements
Most of us will get all the vitamin E we need in our daily diet but if you feel you need extra always discuss your individual requirements with your doctor. Choose natural vitamin E sometimes labeled (d-alpha) over synthetic ones labeled (dl-alpha).
Dosage
If you decide to take a vitamin E supplement take it at the same time each day with a meal. The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) is 10mg. A typical therapeutic daily dose is 67mg to 670mg but doses of 200mg to 400mg are most common. Daily intake should not exceed 800mg. Multivitamins usually contain about 40 mg of vitamin E and even at this fairly low dosage it has been shown to indicate some protection against cancer in smokers.
Signs of deficiency
There are no real deficiency signs but the life of red blood cells may be shortened. People who eat a balanced diet are not at risk of deficiency.
Precautions
High doses (above 670mg daily) can be toxic and cause blood thinning, so should not be used by people taking anti-clotting medication such as Warfarin or heparin. People with high blood pressure should start on a low dose and increase gradually under professional supervision. Diabetics should have their dosage monitored carefully as vitamin E can affect insulin requirements.
sources of vitamin E:
Wheat-germ oil is an exceptional source, eggs, almond oil, corn oil, cottonseed oil, olive oil, palm oil, peanut oil, safflower oil, soybean oil, whole grains, whole-wheat flour and grains, nuts and seeds especially almonds and hazelnuts, sunflower oil, soya beans, avocados, pulses and beans, margarines and leafy green vegetables.
Ask Alva
What is meant by the term RDA?
— Jono
RDA is the Recommended Daily Allowance that a government determines are the bare minimum amount of vitamins and minerals needed to prevent serious deficiency. It should not be confused with maximum safe daily dose (MSDD).
— Alva
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Vitamin E
Vitamin E
Where We Are Going Today: ‘Go Greek’ in Jeddah
- The dark blue-and-white-themed story with pink bougainvillea tucked in corners gives off a nice, cool, fresh vibe
While doomscrolling on social media before bed one night, my phone flashed a post about a brand new place called Go Greek that had just opened in Jeddah. I saved it like I always do, but quite unusually, I did not conveniently forget about it.
So, a few days later after dinner my husband and I drove to one of the new hot spots in town, La Paz Plaza, which houses Jeddah’s Go Greek store.
It was crowded with the queue spilling out of the doors — but rightfully so, because when we got our hands on the yogurt bowls, it was clear why: They were seriously so good! It makes you want to go back for more.
The dark blue-and-white-themed story with pink bougainvillea tucked in corners gives off a nice, cool, fresh vibe.
The store has four large vending machines, each with two flavor options.
You can sample the flavors before you fill your cup depending on your appetite. You are then guided to the next station to choose toppings, with myriad options ranging from different kinds of berries and tropical fruits to seeds, granolas and crumbles.
I went for the dark chocolate and vanilla cup, and my husband chose the pineapple and coconut-flavored cup, which tasted remarkably like pina colada. The yogurt was fresh, rich and creamy, with the berries giving it the right kick of tanginess, while the chia seeds and granola delivered the perfect texture and crunch.
Payment is done by the gram, weighed right in front of you.
On another counter, they also have plain, Lotus Biscoff and honey-flavored yogurts. I bought a few grams from each to have it at home the next day; and the Lotus Biscoff and honey-flavored ones are indulgent on their own, with no toppings needed.
Staff members are polite and attentive, and the service efficient. It is definitely worth a visit.
