Table of Contents

Vitamin E – Functions, Food Sources, Deficiencies and Toxicity

Vitamin E—

In 1922 Evans and Bishop experimented on mice and reported that a fat-soluble element is necessary for reproduction in mice. This element was named as vitamin ‘E” which is helpful in production of offspring. This vitamin is also known as infertility impeding vitamin. According to its chemical structure it is named as 3 tocopherol.

this vitamin is mainly found in two forms—

(1) Tocopherol

(2) Tocotrienol

Between both these forms, tocopherol is more active. It is also of 3 types— alpha , beta, gamma

Preventing oxidization of vitamin A and carotene— Vitamin E has anti-oxidizing properties. Th at is why vitamin E is able toprevent oxidation of vitamin A and carotene in intestines. Thus, it prevents vitamin A and carotene from getting destroyed.
Formation of red blood cells— vitamin E plays an important role in formation of red blood cells. It prevents RBCs from getting damaged by oxidizing agents. Thus it increases the life the span of RBCs.
Maintaining integration of cells— vitamin E helps in maintaining integration of cell covering. In the case of deficiency of vitamin E this creative integration gets damaged.
Helpful in reproduction— vitamin E helps in normal reproduction.
Metabolism of nucleic acid and protein— Vitamin E plays an important role in metabolism of nucleic acids and protein. It is helpful in synthesis of heme protein.
Vitamin E provides protection to liver against various poisonous substances. Different sexual hormones, cholesterol and vitamin D are affected by the presence of vitamin E.

Reduction in reproduction capacity— because of decreased vitamin E reproductive organs do not work properly. There is an imbalance and problems in secretion of sexual hormones. In females, foetus dies during gestation period and in males, sperm producing cells get destroyed.
Liver necrosis – Vitamin E protects liver against poisonous and harmful substances. When there is deficiency of vitamin E in the body, the harmful substances start depositing in liver. As a result, liver cells start getting damaged
Erythrocyte hemolysis— Deficiency of vitamin E causes damage of RBCs. Bone marrow is unable to produce RBCs rapidly and this gives rise to anemia.
Muscle twitching— Muscles become weak due to deficiency of vitamin E and they start contracting unnecessarily.

Many plant seed oils are main sources of vitamin E. vegetable oils and fats too are rich in vitamin E.

Home Science Latest Post :- Click Here

Que1. Which of the given was invented by Kazimierz Funk?
(a) Enzymes
(b) Hormones
(c) Vitamins
(d) Proteins

Ans. ⇒ { c }

Que2. What type of compounds are Vitamins?
(a) Organic Compound
(b) Inorganic Compound
(c) Living Organisms
(d) None of the above

Ans. ⇒ { a }

Que3. Which is also known as the “Accessory dietary factor”?
(a) Fats
(b) Vitamins
(c) Proteins
(d) Hormones

Ans. ⇒ { b }

Que4. Which is not an essential element for plant growth?
(a) Potassium
(b) Calcium
(c) Magnesium
(d) Sodium

Ans. ⇒ { d }

Que5. Which of the given has the highest calorie value per unit?
(a) Vitamins
(b) Proteins
(c) Fats
(d) Carbohydrates
Ans. ⇒ ????