Current evidence of the role of vitamin E in prolonging a healthy life
This is a narrative review of the evidence of α-tocopherol importance in human health, especially with regards to its vitamin role. α-Tocopherol is a potent peroxyl radical scavenger, and this role is prominent in its efficacy in maintaining the metabolic health of tissues. Vitamin E deficiency is d...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Bioscientifica
2023-11-01
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| Series: | Redox Experimental Medicine |
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| Online Access: | https://rem.bioscientifica.com/view/journals/rem/2023/1/REM-23-0020.xml |
| _version_ | 1797637342237818880 |
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| author | Maret G Traber |
| author_facet | Maret G Traber |
| author_sort | Maret G Traber |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This is a narrative review of the evidence of α-tocopherol importance in human health, especially with regards to its vitamin role. α-Tocopherol is a potent peroxyl radical scavenger, and this role is prominent in its efficacy in maintaining the metabolic health of tissues. Vitamin E deficiency is discussed as a tool to understand the impact of α-tocopherol’s absence promoting increased lipid peroxidation and polyunsaturated fatty acid depletion. Downstream deficiency consequences include impacts on choline and one-carbon metabolism, glucose and energy metabolism, and their interactions with critical thiols, such as glutathione. Importantly, human vitamin E deficiency, caused by genetic defects in the α-tocopherol transfer protein (α-TTP), provides important clues for the necessity of α-tocopherol for the peripheral nervous system. Moreover, α-TTP expression in the liver, brain, eyes, and placenta illustrates that these tissues are especially vulnerable and require this specific α-tocopherol delivery mechanism for their protection. Although clinical trial evidence is limited and equivocal about the health benefits of vitamin E supplements, there is epidemiologic evidence of the long-term benefits of increased α-tocopherol intakes in ’healthy’ diets (high in vegetables and fruits, fish, nuts, and seeds, as well as fiber).
Significance statement
The elaborate regulation of α-tocopherol concentrations by the human body suggests that the consistent consumption of the recommended amounts of dietary α-tocopherol (15 mg) over a lifetime are protective of the at-risk tissues, as well as providing protection from chronic diseases. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T12:48:00Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-b335b8dc0da24fc088a78d1ccf2ae235 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2755-158X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T12:48:00Z |
| publishDate | 2023-11-01 |
| publisher | Bioscientifica |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Redox Experimental Medicine |
| spelling | doaj.art-b335b8dc0da24fc088a78d1ccf2ae2352023-11-04T10:23:44ZengBioscientificaRedox Experimental Medicine2755-158X2023-11-0120231114https://doi.org/10.1530/REM-23-0020Current evidence of the role of vitamin E in prolonging a healthy lifeMaret G Traber0Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USAThis is a narrative review of the evidence of α-tocopherol importance in human health, especially with regards to its vitamin role. α-Tocopherol is a potent peroxyl radical scavenger, and this role is prominent in its efficacy in maintaining the metabolic health of tissues. Vitamin E deficiency is discussed as a tool to understand the impact of α-tocopherol’s absence promoting increased lipid peroxidation and polyunsaturated fatty acid depletion. Downstream deficiency consequences include impacts on choline and one-carbon metabolism, glucose and energy metabolism, and their interactions with critical thiols, such as glutathione. Importantly, human vitamin E deficiency, caused by genetic defects in the α-tocopherol transfer protein (α-TTP), provides important clues for the necessity of α-tocopherol for the peripheral nervous system. Moreover, α-TTP expression in the liver, brain, eyes, and placenta illustrates that these tissues are especially vulnerable and require this specific α-tocopherol delivery mechanism for their protection. Although clinical trial evidence is limited and equivocal about the health benefits of vitamin E supplements, there is epidemiologic evidence of the long-term benefits of increased α-tocopherol intakes in ’healthy’ diets (high in vegetables and fruits, fish, nuts, and seeds, as well as fiber). Significance statement The elaborate regulation of α-tocopherol concentrations by the human body suggests that the consistent consumption of the recommended amounts of dietary α-tocopherol (15 mg) over a lifetime are protective of the at-risk tissues, as well as providing protection from chronic diseases.https://rem.bioscientifica.com/view/journals/rem/2023/1/REM-23-0020.xmlantioxidantsataxia with vitamin e deficiency (aved)zebrafishhumans |
| spellingShingle | Maret G Traber Current evidence of the role of vitamin E in prolonging a healthy life Redox Experimental Medicine antioxidants ataxia with vitamin e deficiency (aved) zebrafish humans |
| title | Current evidence of the role of vitamin E in prolonging a healthy life |
| title_full | Current evidence of the role of vitamin E in prolonging a healthy life |
| title_fullStr | Current evidence of the role of vitamin E in prolonging a healthy life |
| title_full_unstemmed | Current evidence of the role of vitamin E in prolonging a healthy life |
| title_short | Current evidence of the role of vitamin E in prolonging a healthy life |
| title_sort | current evidence of the role of vitamin e in prolonging a healthy life |
| topic | antioxidants ataxia with vitamin e deficiency (aved) zebrafish humans |
| url | https://rem.bioscientifica.com/view/journals/rem/2023/1/REM-23-0020.xml |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT maretgtraber currentevidenceoftheroleofvitamineinprolongingahealthylife |