Three key symptoms of vitamin E deficiency, which is rare but serious, include ataxia (loss of coordination), peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage causing numbness/tingling), and vision problems like retinopathy (retinal damage), all stemming from nerve and muscle damage. Other signs can involve muscle weakness, impaired immunity, and skin issues, with symptoms appearing slowly over time.
Patients presenting early may show hyporeflexia, decreased night vision, loss/decreased vibratory sense; however, they have normal cognition. A more moderate stage of this deficiency may show limb and truncal ataxia, profuse muscle weakness, and limited upward gaze.
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible: Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat. Burning, itching, crusting, or peeling of treated skin.
What foods are high in vitamin E?
So far, numerous reports in the literature show that vitamin E has a unique role to play in the function of the nervous system. This suggests that it is likely that some disorders of the nervous system may be particularly amenable to treatment with vitamin E.
The nutritional supplements proposed for the treatment of chronic neuropathic pain include St. John's Wort (SJW), curcumin, zinc, magnesium, vitamin D, and vitamin B.
There are reports of the beneficial effects of combined vitamin E and atorvastatin therapy on glycemic control. This therapy may also reduce the negative effect of atorvastatin on blood glucose.
Half an avocado also contains up to 20% of your vitamin E requirement. Mangos and kiwis also have vitamin E, but they have slightly less vitamin E content than avocados. All three fruits are great options, however, especially for people with nut allergies or sensitivities.
Eat plenty of vegetables and fruit:
Vitamin D helps control the sleep-wake cycle.
One way or another, we know that vitamin D is involved in parts of the brain that regulate sleep timing — including hormones that control the sleep-wake cycle. “For example, vitamin D seems to affect how much melatonin is made in the body.
Side effects can include nausea, fatigue, headache, and bleeding. Vitamin E is possibly unsafe when taken in doses greater than 1000 mg daily. When applied to the skin: Vitamin E is likely safe for most people. When inhaled: Vitamin E is possibly unsafe.
Taking too much vitamin D leads to calcium buildup (hypercalcemia), causing physical signs like nausea/vomiting, fatigue/weakness, frequent urination & excessive thirst, constipation, and confusion/disorientation, alongside potential bone pain or kidney stones, often from supplements, not sun exposure.
People need vitamin B-12 for the brain to work well. If not treated, vitamin B-12 deficiency can lead to issues with the nerves, brain or spinal cord. These might include lasting tingling in the hands and feet or trouble with balance.
A shortage (deficiency) of vitamin E can lead to neurological problems, such as difficulty coordinating movements (ataxia) and speech (dysarthria), loss of reflexes in the legs (lower limb areflexia), and a loss of sensation in the extremities (peripheral neuropathy).
Also known as Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome and Korsakoff's psychosis, the term “wet brain” is caused by a vitamin B1(thiamine) deficiency. It is a common condition among those who are suffering from alcohol addiction. The effects of wet brain include memory lapses, slurred speech and unsteady walks.
A peanut butter and jelly sandwich (PB&J) adds about 33 minutes to your healthy lifespan per serving, according to a University of Michigan study that measured life expectancy impacts of over 5,850 foods using the Health Nutritional Index (HNI). This sandwich tops the list for adding time, with nuts and seeds also being highly beneficial (around 25 mins) and processed items like hot dogs subtracting time.
The 2-2-2 food rule is a simple guideline for leftover safety: get cooked food into the fridge within 2 hours, eat it within 2 days, or freeze it for up to 2 months to prevent bacteria growth, keeping it out of the temperature "danger zone" (40-140°F or 5-60°C).
Spotlight the Super Six:
When it comes to the plants you eat, you want to eat from across the six different plant groups: vegetables, fruits, wholegrains, legumes (beans and pulses), nuts and seeds, and herbs and spices.
For example, both bananas and apples contain vitamin E. But your body can access and use more of the vitamin E in bananas than in apples. The same is true of pasta made from durum wheat, which tends to supply your body with more vitamin E than pasta made with both wheat and eggs.
Good sources of vitamin E
Several medications that slow blood clotting and should not be taken with vitamin E are:
Vitamin E
While Vitamin E supports cholesterol management, it is fat-soluble, meaning excess amounts can accumulate in the body and potentially lead to toxicity. Always consult a healthcare provider before starting high-dose Vitamin E supplementation.
While taking atorvastatin (Lipitor), avoid high-fat and high-cholesterol foods as part of your overall treatment. You should avoid large quantities of grapefruit or grapefruit juice, which can increase the risk of serious side effects. Also, avoid excess alcohol use, as this may cause serious liver problems.