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Vitamin E

Vitamin E

Best for

Raise antioxidant vitamin levels

Large effect, needs confirmation · 1–400 mg/day for 3–24 weeks · 5 studies , n=293

68 papers · 4 claims · 106 outcomes scored · 3 positive

Evidence summary

Evidence summary

Proven but unnoticeable

Vitamin E lowers low-grade inflammation in studied adults, but the average change is too small to notice as a broad health benefit.

  • Across 9 studies (n=3,400), vitamin E lowered low-grade inflammation markers, but stayed below a noticeable-change threshold 3.
  • Vitamin E research spans 68 papers and 106 outcomes, with most claims outside the modest-benefit tier.
  • Higher doses raise bleeding concerns, especially with warfarin, aspirin, or other antithrombotics 2.

Outcomes

What vitamin e actually does, by outcome

Each row is one outcome with effect size, evidence base, the dose that worked in trials, and time to first effect. Magnitude tiers come from native-unit MCID where available, Cohen's d otherwise.

Raise antioxidant vitamin levels Large effect, needs confirmation

Vitamin C and E blood levels climb into protective territory.

5 RCTs n=293 1–400 mg 3–24 wk #2/4
23209576·30008789·32341356·32456230 +1 more
Raise good cholesterol levels Promising early signal

Boosts the cholesterol that pulls fat out of artery walls.

9 meta-analyses n=1.0k 50–1600 IU 4–96 wk
24373555·24740143·26002590·29127425 +5 more
Lower low-grade inflammation Proven but unnoticeable

Brings down C-reactive protein, a blood marker your doctor tracks.

9 meta-analyses n=3.4k 15–1080 mg 8–52 wk #1/71
18952164·24373555·29749323·32341356 +5 more
Lower bad and total cholesterol Slight negative signal

Cuts the cholesterol that builds into artery plaque over time.

7 meta-analyses n=1.0k 50–1600 mg 4–96 wk
24373555·24740143·29127425·32341356 +3 more

Forms & standardisation

Most human data centers on alpha-tocopherol, especially d-alpha-tocopherol or mixed tocopherols on the label. If you want the version most often used in trials, look for the amount of alpha-tocopherol in milligrams or IU, not just a vague 'vitamin E' blend 1. Tocotrienols exist, but they do not own the evidence base the way alpha-tocopherol does 1.

Risk profile

Adverse events and known drug interactions

Safety events

all_cause_mortality_increase severe
Pyrexia moderate
coagulopathy_reversible moderate
Oral pain mild
Abdominal pain mild
Diarrhoea mild
Hematoma mild
dizziness

Drug interactions

Warfarin major increases toxicity
Antithrombotic Agents major increases toxicity
Digoxin moderate decreases effect
Risperidone moderate decreases effect
Aspirin moderate increases toxicity
Zidovudine moderate decreases effect
Stavudine moderate decreases effect
Atorvastatin moderate additive
Nifedipine minor unknown
Gemfibrozil minor unknown

Co-studied with

Supplements that share evidence with vitamin e

Vitamina 8 shared outcomes · d=0.05
Selenium 1 shared outcome · d=0.08
Omega3 1 shared outcome
Vitaminc 1 shared outcome

Frequently asked

Common questions

What is vitamin E best known for?

It is best known as a fat-soluble antioxidant that protects the fatty parts of your cells from oxidation. Human trials show the clearest effect on blood vitamin E status, not on a huge grab-bag of outcomes 1.

Should you take vitamin E with food?

Yes. Taking it with a meal that contains fat matches how your body absorbs this vitamin best 1.

Is vitamin E safe with blood thinners?

Not a casual combo. Higher-dose vitamin E raises bleeding concerns, so if you use warfarin, aspirin, or another antithrombotic, get clinician guidance first 12.

What form of vitamin E should you buy?

Alpha-tocopherol is the main form studied in people, and mixed tocopherols show up on labels too. If a product does not list the form, skip it 1.

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Sources

  1. 1. Vitamin E Fact Sheet for Health Professionals
  2. 2. Meta-analysis: high-dosage vitamin E supplementation may increase all-cause mortality (2005) ↑
  3. 3. Vitamin E and C-reactive protein evidence summary

Generated May 15, 2026

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