Vitamin E (tocopherol) is a component of all cell walls. It acts there as a redox system, which means that it protects sensitive substances, e.g. polyunsaturated fatty acids, lipoproteins, thiol groups from destruction by free radicals such as oxygen. In the process, tocopherol itself is oxidized. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) can regenerate tocopherol. It is stored in the liver.
Vitamin E is synthesized exclusively by plants and must be supplied with food. The best suppliers are vegetable oils such as sea buckthorn fruit oil, wheat germ oil, sunflower oil and olive oil.
Symptoms of vitamin E deficiency include:
- Neuropathies (disorders of nerves)
- Ataxia (disorders of coordination of movements)
- Hemolytic anemia, anemia with destruction of blood cells
- Myopathies, muscle diseases
- Retinopathy, diseases of the retina of the eye
- Impairments of the immune response
