Vitamin E

Answer 1

No plans to continue the series have been announced, and I do not believe that there ever will be a continuation. The nature of the series and the direction it went simply leave it nowhere else to go. However, there is plenty of content to digest apart from the series itself. The Parallel Works, for example, are entirely new bits of animation set to music from the series. I believe 15 have been made thus far. The two compilation movies are also available. At least two manga series have been made, one that is simply an adaptation of the anime and one that is an alternate universe that puts the cast in a high school setting. Additionally, the fan-made webcomic DOUBLE K, which is essentially when Gurren Lagann and Miami Vice collide, is being continually updated.

Answer 2

Definition

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin that acts as an antioxidant.

Alternative Names

Deficiency - vitamin E; Tocopherol

Function

Vitamin E is an antioxidant that protects body tissue from damage caused by unstable substances called free radicals. Free radicals can harm cells, tissues, and organs. They are believed to play a role in certain conditions associated with aging.

Vitamin E is also important in the formation of red blood cells and helps the body to use vitamin K.

The ability of vitamin E to prevent cancer, Heart disease, dementia, liver disease, and stroke are still not known. At lower levels, vitamin E may help protect the heart.

The best way to get enough essential vitamins is to eat a balanced diet that contains a variety of foods.

Food Sources

Vitamin E is found in the following foods:

• Wheat germ
• Corn
• Nuts
• Seeds
• Olives
• Spinach and other green leafy vegetables
• Asparagus
• Vegetable oils -- corn, sunflower, soybean, cottonseed

Products made from these foods, such as margarine, also contain vitamin E.

Side Effects

In November, 2004, the American Heart Association stated that high amounts of vitamin E can be harmful. Taking 400 IU per day, or higher, may increase the risk of death.

Taking smaller amounts, such as those found in a typical multivitamin, was not harmful.

Recommendations

The Food and Nutrition Board at the Institute of Medicine report the following dietary reference intakes for vitamin E:

Infants

• 0 to 6 months: 4 mg/day
• 7 to 12 months: 5 mg/day

Children

• 1 to 3 years: 6 mg/day
• 4 to 8 years: 7 mg/day
• 9 to 13 years: 11 mg/day

Adolescents and Adults

• 14 and older: 15 mg/day

The best way to get the daily requirement of essential vitamins is to eat a balanced diet that contains a variety of foods from the food guide pyramid.

Specific recommendations depend on age, gender, and other factors (such as pregnancy). Women who are pregnant or producing breast milk (lactating) need higher amounts. Ask your health care provider which amount is best for you.

References

Hamrick I, Counts SH. Vitamin and mineral supplements. Wellness and Prevention. December 2008:35(4);729-747.

Ausiello D, ed. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007.

Institute of Medicine. Food and Nutrition Board. Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Selenium, and Carotenoids. National Academy Press, Washington, DC, 2000.

Rakel D, ed. Integrative Medicine. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007.

Answer 3

Definition

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin.

Alternative Names

Alpha-tocopherol; Gamma-tocopherol

Function

Vitamin E is an antioxidant that protects body tissue from damage caused by substances called free radicals. Free radicals can harm cells, tissues, and organs. They are believed to play a role in certain conditions related to aging.

The body also needs vitamin E to help keep the immune system strong against viruses and bacteria.

Vitamin E is also important in the formation of red blood cells and it helps the body use vitamin K. It also helps widen blood vessels and keep blood from clotting inside them.

Cells use vitamin E to interact with each other and carry out many important functions.

Whether vitamin E can prevent cancer, heart disease, dementia, liver disease, and stroke is still not known.

Food Sources

The best way to get the daily requirement of vitamin E is by eating food sources. Vitamin E is found in the following foods:

• Vegetable oils (such as wheat germ, sunflower, safflower, corn, and soybean oils)
• Nuts (such as almonds, peanuts, and hazelnuts/filberts)
• Seeds (such as sunflower seeds)
• Green leafy vegetables (such as spinach and broccoli)
• Fortified breakfast cereals, fruit juices, margarine, and spreads. Fortified means that vitamins have been added to the food. Check the Nutrition Fact Panel on the food label.

Products made from these foods, such as margarine, also contain vitamin E.

Side Effects

Eating vitamin E in foods is not risky or harmful. In supplement form, however, high doses of vitamin E might increase the risk for bleeding and serious bleeding in the brain.

High levels of vitamin E may also increase the risk of birth defects.

Recommendations

The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for vitamins reflect how much of each vitamin most people should get each day.

• The RDA for vitamins may be used as goals for each person.
• How much of each vitamin you need depends on your age and gender.
• Other factors, such as pregnancy, breast-feeding, and illnesses may increase the amount you need.

The Food and Nutrition Board at the Institute of Medicine Recommended Intakes for Individuals for vitamin E:

Infants (adequate intake of vitamin E)

• 0 to 6 months: 4 mg/day
• 7 to 12 months: 5 mg/day

Children

• 1 to 3 years: 6 mg/day
• 4 to 8 years: 7 mg/day
• 9 to 13 years: 11 mg/day

Adolescents and Adults

• 14 and older: 15 mg/day

Ask your health care provider which amount is best for you.

The highest safe level of vitamin E supplements for adults is 1,500 IU/day for natural forms of vitamin E, and 1,000 IU/day for the man-made (synthetic) form.

References

Escott-Stump S, ed. Nutrition and Diagnosis-Related Care. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2008.

Sarubin Fragaakis A, Thomson C. The Health Professional's Guide to Popular Dietary Supplements. 3rd ed. Chicago, IL: American Dietetic Association; 2007.

Institute of Medicine, Food and Nutrition Board. Dietary Reference Intake: Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Selenium, and Carotenoids. National Academy Press, Washington, DC, 2000.

Reviewed By

Review Date: 02/08/2011

Alison Evert, MS, RD, CDE, Nutritionist, University of Washington Medical Center Diabetes Care Center, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.