Vitamin E deficiency in the body - is there a purely female vitamin?
Vitamin E has many functions in the body. The component provides protection against free radicals and takes an active part in metabolic processes. A lack of vitamin E can cause the development of diseases of the cardiovascular system and nervous disorders.
Tocopherol deficiency leads to dysfunction reproductive system. When symptoms of deficiency appear, drugs containing this biological active substance.
Vitamin E takes an active part in redox processes. supports young healthy looking skin. The role of the component for the functioning of the visual organs is also great.
Ensures normal blood clotting and accelerates wound healing. Being an antioxidant, it protects the body's cells from destruction free radicals. The ability of the vitamin to restore reproductive functions in women and men is known.
High doses may cause nausea, bloating, and indigestion. Patients show an increase blood pressure. These and other symptoms often occur due to incorrect dosage selection.
Causes of vitamin E deficiency in the body
Primary failure occurs in infants bottle-fed upon admission polyunsaturated acids a lot. A deficiency is also possible if there is a deficiency of protein in the daily diet.
Secondary failure develops for other reasons:
- diseases of the pancreas, such as pancreatitis, oncological pathologies;
- liver damage, bile acid deficiency;
- pathologies of the small intestine;
- short bowel syndrome;
- some genetic diseases;
- defect of tocopherol binding protein.
Symptoms of can deficiency for a long time do not appear. Immediately after its appearance, you must visit a doctor.
How is vitamin E deficiency manifested?
Tocopherol reserves are depleted over a long period of time. U healthy people In relatively older age, signs of deficiency may not appear for a long time. A person loses muscle mass.
However, from the results of the conducted laboratory research Other conclusions can be drawn:
- the lifespan of red blood cells is significantly reduced;
- the amount of aging pigment produced in some tissues of the body increases;
- low concentration of vitamin E in blood plasma.
Insufficient tocopherol content in the blood can also be detected in some cases. genetic diseases blood. Signs of acute vitamin E deficiency may be more pronounced. Vitamin deficiency leads to dystrophic changes in muscle tissue. The fibers are subject to decay.
Clear vitamin E deficiency develops in in rare cases. Symptoms of deficiency appear in newborns, particularly premature infants. Women do not become pregnant for a long time, since there are no appropriate conditions for the formation of a full-fledged egg.
Symptoms of tocopherol deficiency:
- impaired coordination of movements;
- decreased visual acuity;
- premature aging of the skin;
- disruption of the digestive system;
- neurological disorders;
- muscle weakness, seizures;
- violation menstrual cycle among women.
If left untreated, serious pathologies arise, including oncological diseases and heart disease. Often a deficiency of vitamin A and E develops simultaneously.
The use of vitamin E in medical practice
Many pathologies are associated with tocopherol deficiency. Therefore, the component is used in medicine in the treatment of the following diseases:
- neuromuscular disease in childhood, accompanied by disruption of the liver and gallbladder;
- hemolytic anemia;
- intraventricular bleeding;
- dermatological pathologies;
- neutralization of menopause symptoms in women.
There is known data on the use of vitamin E for other purposes:
- treatment of thrombotic diseases;
- prevention of the development of cancer, heart disease and;
- maintaining immunity.
Tocopherol deficiency in men leads to unsuccessful attempts to conceive. In this case, the doctor prescribes the use of vitamin E in the form of capsules or injections. Preparations containing it are used in the treatment of infertility.
If the symptoms are clearly expressed, then taking special drugs. The dosage is selected depending on the age and condition of the body. The patient is advised to eat enough foods containing tocopherol. Nuts and some grain crops are rich in vitamins. Not a large number of found in the liver butter, chicken eggs and milk.
To avoid side effects or excess it is not recommended to start taking synthetic vitamin E without a doctor's prescription. Deficiency is dangerous for pregnant women. An overdose leads to the development of pathologies in the fetus. Tocopherol tends to accumulate in the body. Therefore, the risk of developing hypervitaminosis is high.
To prevent deficiency, you need to eat well and enrich your diet with foods high in vitamins. For the absorption of tocopherol, fats are needed, since the component is part of the group of fat-soluble compounds.
Chronic diseases of the digestive system must be periodically treated, since properly selected therapy improves their functioning and makes it possible to fully absorb nutrients.
What women most often dream about: beauty, youth and the opportunity to give birth healthy child? But to bring all this to life, you need to not only conduct healthy image life, but also don’t forget about vitamins and minerals. A lack of vitamin E not only slows down or disrupts the natural renewal of body cells, but can also cause problems with conception or even provoke secondary infertility, both in women and men.
Vitamin E and its importance for the body
Vitamin E or tocopherol is one of the most mysterious natural compounds. Each molecule of a substance is unique in its composition, although it consists of only 3 elements: hydrogen, oxygen and carbon, but their combination is always different. The importance of vitamin E was known to the ancient Greeks - “tocopherol” translated from Greek means “bringing offspring”, because without it, as has been proven, the existence and reproduction of mammals is almost impossible.
The main function of vitamin E in the body– protects cell membranes from free radicals. Today, antioxidant substances are at the peak of popularity, but nothing more useful than vitamin E has yet been invented. This substance stabilizes the cell membrane, preventing its destruction; a sufficient amount of vitamin E can improve metabolism between cells, protect them from premature destruction and activate functions. For example, tocopherols tightly surround erythrocytes - red blood cells that carry oxygen from the lungs to the tissues. If there is not enough vitamin E in the body, free radicals destroy the membranes of red blood cells and oxygen starvation develops in the body.
Vitamin E is necessary for the synthesis of hormones, including sex hormones, maintaining vascular tone and regeneration of cells and tissues. Lack of vitamin E causes premature aging of the skin epithelium, metabolic disorders, decreased secretion of sex hormones, and deterioration of memory and vision. In addition, tocopherol is necessary for the complete absorption of vitamin A.
Adequate vitamin E levels are especially important during pregnancy., a decrease in tocopherol levels can cause a deficiency of hormones responsible for maintaining pregnancy or cause retardation of the fetus in physical or neuropsychic development.
The fat-soluble vitamin is found in fresh vegetables and fruits, nuts, seeds, vegetable oils, cereals and fresh herbs, less of it in liver, milk and eggs. Even in the last century, vitamin E hypovitaminosis was extremely rare and was almost always associated with some kind of disease internal organs. After all, even the poorest person of the 19th and 20th centuries could afford cereal porridge, carrots, rutabaga or nettles, quinoa and other edible herbs. But today a huge number of residents of megacities suffer from a lack of vitamin, preferring refined oils, frozen foods and semi-finished products, in which the tocopherol content is negligible. And in artificially grown vegetables and fruits, its level is also much lower.
Except not proper nutrition, the cause of a lack of vitamin E can be a bad environment - gas pollution, smog, toxins clogging our body, causing increased consumption of tocopherol, which is why the deficiency of this substance gradually increases.
Severe hypovitaminosis can cause metabolic disorders and diseases gastrointestinal tract or other internal organs.
Symptoms of Vitamin E Deficiency
You can suspect hypovitaminosis in yourself or your loved ones based on the following signs:
- weakness and numbness of muscles - one of the first symptoms of hypovitaminosis can be muscle weakness, feeling of numbness and “tingling” in the limbs. With prolonged tocopherol deficiency, intermittent claudication may develop, the patient experiences pain in the calves when walking, stumbles and falls;
- premature wrinkles, dryness and aging of the skin - the most noticeable effect of tocopherol deficiency is on appearance. The skin loses its elasticity, shine, becomes dry, saggy, and may appear dark spots or wrinkles;
- deterioration of vision - the eyes quickly get tired from reading, working on the computer, pain appears in the eyes, a feeling “as if sand had been poured in”;
- character changes - due to a general deterioration in well-being and changes in the nervous system, with a lack of vitamin E, a person becomes irritable, whiny, emotional stability and performance decrease, sleep and appetite suffer;
- decreased libido – in both men and women, due to a lack of vitamin E, the production of sex hormones decreases. This leads to a decrease sexual desire, frigidity or impotence;
- frequent miscarriages or infertility - in the most severe and advanced cases due to a decrease in the concentration of tocopherol in the blood, women may develop recurrent miscarriage or decrease their ability to conceive.
What to do if you are deficient in vitamin E
Replenish the pronounced deficiency of vitamin E in the body with the help of food products It's hard enough. Only about 50% of all tocopherol contained in vegetables and fruits is absorbed in the human intestine. Therefore, to replenish daily norm– 12 mg, must be consumed daily:
- meat and dairy products containing animal fats;
- fresh vegetables and fruits;
- nuts and dried fruits;
- fresh herbs;
- unrefined vegetable oils;
- porridge from unrefined cereals.
If the body already has a lack of vitamin E, it is recommended to add sprouted grains, wheat germ oil, liver and egg yolks. Also, for the normal absorption of vitamin E, bile is necessary, so it is important not only to change your menu, but also to monitor the digestive processes.
In case of severe lack of vitamin E, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract or metabolic disorders or other diseases of the internal organs, tocopherol is prescribed in the form of pharmaceutical preparations.
The most popular is vitamin E in capsules., usually 1 capsule contains 100 IU or 0.67 mg of tocopherol. To prevent hypovitaminosis, it is recommended to take 200-400 IU per day, that is, 1 capsule 2-4 times, and medicinal purposes– 600-1000 IU. The maximum permissible dose is 1100 IU per day. The course of treatment is 4-8 weeks, then there must be a break for 1-2 months, and after that the course can be repeated.
Vitamin E cannot be taken in capsules:
- in case of individual intolerance to the components of the drug;
- for diabetes mellitus;
- for severe diseases of the cardiovascular system;
- for disorders of fat metabolism;
- while taking anticoagulants or iron-containing drugs.
Vitamin E is one of the most important and useful biologically active substances that are necessary for full human life. Vitamin E deficiency develops against the background of unfavorable internal and external environment and can lead to a significant deterioration in health and the appearance of many unpleasant symptoms. Vitamin E deficiency in the body is dangerous condition , requiring timely diagnosis And proper treatment. When the first signs of such vitamin deficiency appear, you should immediately consult a doctor.
Why does our body need vitamin E?
Vitamin E plays an important role in the functioning of all organs and systems and has many beneficial properties:- protects cells from harmful effects free radicals;
- has an antihypoxic effect on tissues and prevents the occurrence of oxygen deficiency in them;
- has a neuroprotective effect, that is, it protects the nervous system from harmful factors internal and external environment;
- due to antioxidant properties, reduces the risk of cancer;
- normalizes cholesterol levels in the body;
- strengthens the body's defenses;
- plays an important role in maintaining normal human reproductive function;
- participates in erythropoiesis, synthesis of connective and muscle tissue.
Why does vitamin deficiency occur?
Several external and internal environmental factors are considered predisposing to the development of vitamin deficiency. E-vitaminosis occurs most often due to the following reasons:- Poor nutrition. An insufficient amount of the substance enters the human body with food, which leads to the appearance. Poor nutrition is key reason many ailments, including hypovitaminosis or vitamin deficiency.
- Metabolic disorder. Tocopherol is fat soluble and is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. In the presence of inflammatory processes or other pathologies of the digestive system, the absorption of substances significantly deteriorates, which leads to a lack of nutrients and other valuable compounds in the body.
- Exposure to toxins. Many toxic substances interfere with normal metabolism useful substances and often lead to polyavitaminosis of several vitamins.
Clinical manifestations
Vitamin E deficiency has many clinical manifestations, which depend on general condition body and duration of deficiency. The first symptoms in most cases are weakness, decreased mental and physical activity . Since the substance takes an active part in maintaining immunity, vitamin E deficiency also manifests itself in frequent, long-lasting colds.More specific signs of vitamin deficiency are the appearance of problems with reproductive function. In men and women, the synthesis of sex hormones decreases, which complicates the process of conception, and sometimes causes infertility in a couple. For pregnant women, the lack of this biologically active substance is also very harmful; E-vitaminosis can lead to spontaneous abortion or premature detachment placenta.
A sign of vitamin E deficiency is severe muscle weakness, as well as impaired skin sensitivity and the appearance of paresthesia.
A lack of vitamin has a very negative effect on vision and the condition of the skin. Vitamin E plays vital role to maintain youth and beauty of the skin, it prevents the processes premature aging, is responsible for a healthy complexion. With a lack of this substance, the skin rapidly begins to fade, loses its elasticity and ability to regenerate.
Severe vitamin E deficiency leads to the development of the following pathologies:
- hemolytic anemia;
- retinopathy;
- lipofuscinosis;
- sudden death of infants.
Treatment
If there is a lack of vitamin E, vitamin deficiency must be treated with diet and additional vitamin supplements. Proper nutrition is the basis for the treatment of vitamin deficiency, therefore, the diet should be rich in foods containing vitamin E. The group of such foods includes vegetable oils, herbs, vegetables, eggs, and nuts. The record holder for the content of this valuable substance is considered to be wheat germ oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil and almonds.Lack of food in the diet plant origin is the main cause of vitamin deficiency, so the patient must include them in his daily menu.
Special vitamin complexes will also help compensate for the lack of vitamin E. Vitamin preparations must be prescribed by a doctor who will determine optimal dose and duration of treatment for a particular patient. With a responsible attitude to treatment, the prognosis for a patient with vitamin deficiency is favorable and the deficiency can be fully replenished within several months.
Uncontrolled use of the medicine can lead to a deterioration in the general condition or overdose and hypervitaminosis. Depending on the main clinical manifestations, the doctor selects the dosage and duration of treatment with the drug. Usually Vitamin deficiency therapy is well tolerated, in rare cases it may occur allergic reaction . It is not recommended to give tocopherol-based drugs to children under 12 years of age due to its effect on the reproductive system.
How to avoid E-vitaminosis
To prevent vitamin E deficiency, no complex, special measures are needed. To fully provide yourself with this valuable substance, it is enough to eat right, do not abuse alcoholic drinks, avoid smoking and taking drugs. Plant-based products should be present in your diet every day. You should also promptly treat gastrointestinal pathologies that negatively affect vitamin metabolism.People who have had an intestinal or gastric resection need to take additional multivitamins. It is necessary to follow the recommendations of the attending physician and be regularly examined for the underlying pathology. An important element secondary prevention is to consult a doctor when the first signs of vitamin deficiency appear.
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Problems of infertility, pregnancy failure and spermatogenesis pathology are very often associated with a lack of vitamin E in the body. These unpleasant consequences can be avoided by eating necessary products. What symptoms indicate vitamin deficiency, how to cure the deficiency by selecting tocopherol products and preparations, we will tell you in this article.
Vitamin E, or tocopherol, has unique properties: prolongs youth and promotes procreation. This chemical name was not chosen by chance. Translated from Greek, “tokos” means “childbirth”, “ferein” means “to give birth”, i.e. tocopherol is associated with childbirth.
Vitamin E enters the human body with food and is deposited in organs and tissues as a reserve source (the main depot is adipose tissue, liver, muscles). Tocopherol is a fat-soluble organic compound, so it is absorbed in the intestines as part of fats and bile. Vitamin E has a protective effect on the nervous and cardiovascular system, muscle tissue and retina. Tocopherol also promotes a healthy pregnancy and prevents spontaneous miscarriages and premature birth. Vitamin E also has a beneficial effect on the fetus itself: it provides normal height small organism and participates in hematopoietic processes.
In order to avoid the unpleasant consequences of tocopherol deficiency, it is necessary good nutrition. The right diet helps balance vitamins with each other and with essential vitamins nutrients: proteins, fats and carbohydrates.
Biological role of tocopherol in the human body
- Vitamin E is powerful antioxidant(protects body tissues from peroxide oxidation and accumulation of harmful chemical compounds - free radicals during metabolic processes);
- antihypoxant, i.e. promotes economical consumption of oxygen in conditions of hypoxia - oxygen deficiency in the body: in severe physical activity, intensive sports training, lung and liver diseases, infectious and inflammatory diseases;
- slows down the aging process by activating tissue respiration (improves oxygen supply to cells, participates in the elimination of toxic decay products);
- normalizes the function of the genital organs: increases the potency and quality of sperm in men, alleviates the condition of a woman before the onset of menstruation (has a beneficial effect on the production of sex hormones), promotes the production of the pregnancy hormone - progesterone, and the formation of the placenta - the organ that connects two organisms, mother - child;
- improves rheological properties(fluidity and microcirculation) of blood: reduces coagulation, prevents stagnation and blockage of blood vessels with blood clots and cholesterol plaques(prevention of atherosclerosis);
- increases the body's immune defense;
- improves muscle tone and function;
- accelerates regeneration processes (healing of wounds and burns);
- promotes maturation lung tissue fetus;
- strengthens the walls of blood vessels (reducing blood pressure for hypertension), prolongs the life of red blood cells and is involved in;
- improves nutrition of nerve tissue and brain;
- promotes the absorption of retinol – (prevention of eye diseases);
- in combination with tocopherol has an anticancer effect.
The need for vitamin E increases sharply in the following cases:
- and breastfeeding;
- prematurity, low weight at the birth of a child, infections in the neonatal period (the first 28 days of life);
- asphyxia of the newborn (breathing pathology due to insufficient oxygen supply during childbirth), birth injury CNS (central nervous system);
- artificial feeding with cow's milk;
- lack of protein in food;
- stress ;
- playing sports (increased muscle load);
- the period of recovery (reconvalescence) after an infectious and inflammatory disease;
- intake (vitamin E is destroyed when joint reception with iron supplements, medicines must be taken separately, with an interval of 8–12 hours);
- tissue regeneration after damage (healing of wound and burn surfaces);
- periods of active growth in children;
Daily requirement for vitamin E
Vitamin E deficiency leads to a number of disorders in the child’s body, including retardation in physical and even mental development.
Symptoms of vitamin E deficiency in children
- Dry skin and brittle nails (loss of moisture and impaired nutrition of body cells);
- decreased immunity (tendency to frequent infectious and inflammatory diseases with long recovery);
- lag in physical development(low weight, slow growth, poor appetite);
- deterioration of mental abilities;
- decreased sensitivity and physiological reflexes (hyporeflexia);
- muscle weakness - hypotension (deterioration of tissue respiration due to oxygen deficiency muscle loses its mass and turns into fat);
- impaired coordination of movements - ataxia (accumulation harmful products oxidation in the tissues of the cerebellum);
- slurred speech (dysarthria);
- blurred vision at dusk and at night, deterioration in the visibility of objects (blurred vision) – retinal dystrophy;
- hemolytic anemia (increased breakdown of red blood cells due to a reduction in their lifespan, decreased formation of hemoglobin);
- chronic inflammation of the digestive system - liver and biliary tract, stomach, etc.;
- decreased potency and sexual desire in young men during puberty (insufficient production of sex hormones - gonadotropins);
- formation of infertility (accumulation of toxic breakdown products in the tissues of the reproductive organs);
- fading of pregnancy in the early stages, spontaneous miscarriages, early toxicosis.
More often primary failure tocopherol develops in premature babies at birth. One of the manifestations of hypovitaminosis is hemolytic anemia. Infants develop jaundice, palpation reveals an enlarged and hardened liver and spleen, and the temperature may rise. The child is lethargic, apathetic with signs of muscle hypotonia and hyporeflexia. On auscultation, a rapid heartbeat, muffled heart sounds and systolic murmur are heard. The degree of coloration of the skin (lemon tint) and sclera directly depends on the intensity of hemolysis - the death of red blood cells, the activity of liver enzyme systems and the level indirect bilirubin V biochemical analysis blood.
In full-term newborns, indirect bilirubin (bile pigment formed during the breakdown of hemoglobin) should be no more than 256 µmol/l, in premature infants - no more than 171 µmol/l. During hemolytic crises, hyperbilirubinemia (increased levels of indirect bilirubin) and increased serum iron. IN clinical analysis anemia is observed (decrease in capillary blood hemoglobin below 145 g/l and red blood cells below 4.5 × 10 12 / l at 1–2 weeks of a child’s life or a decrease in hemoglobin below 120 g/l and red blood cells below 4 × 10 12 / l at 3–4 weeks of life). The level of reticulocytes, the precursors of erythrocytes, also increases (reticulocytosis more than 1.5%, up to 40–50% during a crisis), erythrocytes appear different sizes(anisocytosis), irregular shape(poikilocytosis), with “spikes” (pyknocytosis). Urobilin can be detected in urine ( final product transformation of hemoglobin), in feces - stercobilin (the end product of the breakdown of bilirubin).
Treatment depends on the child's condition. In case of severe hemolytic crises, pronounced size of the spleen and ineffectiveness conservative therapy An operation may be indicated - splenectomy (removal of the spleen, elimination of the site of breakdown of red blood cells). If hemoglobin levels drop below 70 g/l, a blood transfusion (transfusion of blood or its components) is performed. Administration of recombinant human erythropoietin is also effective in reversing anemia. Additionally carried out symptomatic treatment depending on the child’s condition: the use of glucocorticoids (prednisolone), vitamins (E, C, etc.), detoxification agents (glucose salt solutions).
Another common manifestation of vitamin E deficiency in premature infants is retrolental fibroplasia (retinopathy). This disease is associated with damage to the retina due to the proliferation of pathological vessels. The cause of this condition may be excessive oxygenation (oxygen therapy), used to restore breathing in infants born ahead of schedule. Risk factors for retinopathy include low birth weight (less than 1.4 kg) and preterm birth (at 26–28 weeks). The main symptoms of retrolental fibroplasia in children early age are poor visibility of distant objects, frequent blinking one eye, squint, sharp deterioration vision. As a rule, the child holds toys in front of his nose. For installation correct diagnosis It is necessary to consult an ophthalmologist and conduct an examination of the fundus (ophthalmoscopy of the retinal vessels).
Treatment depends on the stage of the disease. On early stages self-healing is possible. As the disease progresses, laser coagulation (cauterization) or cryoretinopexy (freezing) of pathological peripheral retinal vessels is used. The main goal of these types of treatment is to preserve central vision. Additional administration of vitamin E has a beneficial effect on healing process and is a prevention of the development of complications. In advanced cases (delayed diagnosis), scar tissue forms in the retina of the eye, which contributes to retinal detachment and possible bleeding. Children may develop myopia - a vision defect in which a person sees distant objects poorly, strabismus - a displacement of one of the pupils from the point of fixation of the gaze, amblyopia - a sharp decrease in vision in one eye (" lazy eye"). Early contact with specialists will help avoid irreversible consequences (vision loss).
Tocopherol-rich foods
The largest amount of vitamin E is found in. Rich Content tocopherol in unrefined oils (soybean, corn, sunflower, peanut), nuts, sprouted wheat grains, peas and rye. It is important to remember that vitamin E from food is not completely absorbed (only 20–40%).
- The leading place in the amount of tocopherol is occupied by vegetable oils.
- An honorable second place is shared by cereals and legumes.
- In third place are nuts.
- Fourth place belongs to berries, dried fruits and herbs.
- The fifth position is occupied by products of animal origin. Their vitamin E content is minimal.
Vitamin E preparations
To compensate for the lack of tocopherol in the body, you can take its pharmaceutical version in capsule form. Tocopherol acetate (α-tocopherol acetate) – vitamin E preparation. Through pharmacy chain sold in capsule form (0.5 g 20% oil solution in one piece), oil solution (5% and 10% in 20 ml bottles) and 1 ml ampoules (5%, 10% or 30% oil solution).
Main indications for use:
- hemolytic anemia;
- hyperbilirubinemia in premature infants;
- eating disorder in young children (hypotrophy);
- excess intake (hypervitaminosis);
- diseases connective tissue and blood vessels - collagenosis (scleroderma - a progressive pathology of the skin and internal organs with the formation of areas of compaction);
- lesions of the skin (dermatoses) and muscles (muscular dystrophy);
- menstrual irregularities, infertility;
- threat of miscarriage, late toxicosis;
- deterioration of spermatogenesis and potency;
- liver pathology;
- damage to the heart (myocardiopathy) and peripheral vessels (atherosclerosis, vascular spasms);
- amyotrophic lateral sclerosis – serious disease central nervous system with the development of atrophic processes in the muscular system.
The drug is prescribed in the following dosages:
- for diseases of the nervous system and muscles – 50–100 mg/day;
- for damage to the heart and blood vessels - 100 mg/day with additional vitamin A for better effect therapy (“Aevit”);
- if there is a threat of miscarriage and deterioration of the fetus’s condition – 100–150 mg/day, for at least 1 month of treatment;
- with deterioration of sperm parameters and decreased potency - 100–300 mg/day.
Side effects of using tocopherol are insignificant: decreased performance, diarrhea, creatinuria - excretion of creatine (a protein substance synthesized from amino acids) in the urine.
A contraindication to the use of the drug is severe cardiac pathology: cardiosclerosis, myocardial infarction, high risk of thromboembolism.
For children and pregnant women, vitamin E is usually prescribed as part of multivitamin complexes. The tocopherol content in them corresponds to the age period and the needs of the body. The most frequent medications choice: “Alphabet our baby”, “Alphabet kindergarten", "Alphabet Mom's Health", "Biovital Vitamin E", "Vitamishki", "Vitrum Prenatal", "Centrum", "Elevit", etc.
Conclusion
Thus, vitamin E is an important chemical compound. It begins to affect the body from the moment of conception. It is important to remember this and not ignore taking multivitamin complexes. Vitamin E promotes healthy pregnancy and. With hypovitaminosis E, the baby is born premature and with various kinds of complications (hemolytic anemia, hyperbilirubinemia, retinopathy, etc.).
Tocopherol has positive influence and on the organs of the reproductive system in young men: stimulates spermatogenesis, regulates the production of sex hormones and promotes healthy physiological processes(wet dreams are involuntary ejaculations during puberty in adolescents, often during sleep). In girls, vitamin E regulates the arrival of menstruation and the functioning of the reproductive system.
In addition, tocopherol has a pronounced antioxidant effect, protecting the body from the harmful effects of various toxins. Thanks to this, it increases immune defense and resistance to unfavorable factors environment(cold, polluted air, dampness, changes atmospheric pressure etc.).
Children who are not deficient in vitamin E get sick less, study better, are physically active and have good height and weight indicators. Adults who do not suffer from tocopherol deficiency have healthy cardiovascular and nervous system and do not experience problems in the sexual sphere.
Stimulation of cellular respiration
Vitamin E reliably protects red blood cells, or red blood cells, from damage, which carry oxygen from the lungs to all organs and tissues of the body, and thereby helps stimulate the respiration of all cells of our body. However, at the same time, he also makes sure that the body’s tissues get by with as little oxygen as possible, and therefore their endurance and strength increases. Athletes and other people leading active image life, more air passes through the lungs, and, accordingly, more oxygen is “pumped” into the blood and tissues. And it can pose a danger by stimulating oxidative processes and breaking down into free radicals, or so-called peroxides. That is why people who lead an active lifestyle, Very important to follow for timely replenishment of supplies vitamin E in organism.
Vitamin E can prevent or eliminate various circulatory disorders, in particular, it reduces blood clotting and prevents the formation of blood clots in blood vessels. Also, it protects the most important endocrine glands- hypothalamus, thymus and adrenal cortex. Vitamin E deficiency entails a decrease in sperm production in men and various dysfunctions of the reproductive system in women. In addition, vitamin E protects the molecules of another vitamin, vitamin A, from the harmful effects of free radicals. Both of these vitamins are among the most important protective factors of the eyes, primarily the retina and lens.
Anti-inflammatory effect of vitamin E
Vitamin E has one more quality that scientists discovered only in last years. He prevents the development of inflammatory processes in the body, which recently often arise due to poor nutrition. Vitamin E inhibits the production of substances that stimulate inflammatory reaction, in particular, leukotrienes and prostaglandins, which accumulate in the body when consuming excess amounts of meat. Meat contains arachidonic acid, which becomes the material for the subsequent production of leukotrienes and prostaglandins in body tissues. In people who consume large amounts of meat and at the same time insufficient intake of vitamin E, an excess amount of vitamin E is concentrated in the body. arachidonic acid, resulting in the active production of substances that stimulate inflammatory processes.
What are the first signs of vitamin E deficiency?
- Decreased visual acuity
- Skin laxity
- Increased fatigue
- Inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract
- Infertility
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Nervousness, increased irritability
- Absent-mindedness
- The appearance of age spots on the skin
How does vitamin E enter the body?
First of all, vitamin E is found in vegetable fats, which are extracted from various seeds (in particular, sunflower, olive, soybean, rapeseed oils, etc.). Being in plant seeds, this vitamin already performs its function of protecting unsaturated, very unstable to radiation sunlight, fatty acids from the oxidation process caused by free radicals.
In the intestinal lumen, vitamin E is absorbed “in conjunction” with fat molecules. And therefore, just like for others fat-soluble vitamins(these include vitamins A, D and K), necessary for vitamin E permanent presence of fats in food, after all, even completely normal digestive processes allow you to absorb only 20 to 40% of the vitamin E entering the body with food.
First, vitamin E is “packed” into a protein shell, forming the so-called chylomicron, and in this form through lymphatic system goes directly to the liver. From there, vitamin E travels through the bloodstream in the same way to cell membranes or fatty tissues as triglycerides and the rest fat-like substances. Thanks to this long path, the distribution of vitamin E in the body occurs more evenly than the distribution of similar fat-soluble vitamins A and D. And thanks to the fact that nature ordered it this way, Excessive intake of vitamin E is not nearly as dangerous and toxic., like an overdose of vitamins A and D. Up to 99% of all vitamin E in the body sleeps peacefully in fat cells along with triglycerides - the “culprits” for the appearance of fatty deposits on our stomachs, buttocks and thighs.
Prevention of atherosclerosis
Alpha-tocopherol, the most “effective” form of vitamin E, circulates in the blood in conjunction with the so-called low-density cholesterol, which is mistakenly considered to be the culprit in the development of atherosclerosis. Yes, this molecule contains a large amount of fat, but with proper nutrition (in particular, when eating large quantities of vegetable fats), this fat is perfectly absorbed and does not cause any harm to the body. Moreover, exactly Low-density cholesterol ensures the delivery of vitamin E to the most remote corners of our body. If you eat large quantities white bread, fatty sausage, pasta and confectionery, sugar and all kinds of other "empty" products, then the liver will have no choice but to process them into additional fat and then send them into the blood. These lipid substances without outside help They only accumulate in the blood because the body’s cells do not accept them. Finally, they begin to “gather” in the walls of the arteries, gradually narrowing the lumen of the vessels more and more and thus causing atherosclerosis. And large reserves the most useful vitamin E remain unused.
How does Vitamin E work? How to help damaged cells and what foods contain Vitamin E... you will learn from the third part of the article.
