Vitamin E deficiency primarily affects the nervous system, causing symptoms like muscle weakness, poor coordination (ataxia), slow reflexes, numbness, and difficulty walking, along with vision problems (retinopathy). Other signs include a weakened immune system, dry skin, fatigue, and a type of anemia where red blood cells break down (hemolytic anemia). Severe cases can lead to blindness, cognitive issues, or nerve damage.
Too little vitamin E can cause nerve pain, called neuropathy, and damage to the retina, called retinopathy. Retinopathy can cause vision loss. The recommended daily amount of vitamin E for adults is 15 milligrams a day.
Vitamin E deficiency symptoms mostly affect your nervous system. These may include muscle weakness, vision issues and problems controlling your body movements. Other symptoms include numbness and fatigue. Severe cases can lead to blindness.
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).
Though normally presented in our diets, adults need 15mg of vitamin E per day. A supplement of 15 to 25 mg/kg once per day or mixed tocopherols 200 IU can both be used. If a patient has issues with the small intestine and/or oral ingestion intramuscular injection is necessary.
Diagnosing Vitamin E Deficiency
From the physical examination, the doctor may find several signs indicating vitamin E deficiency, such as reduced reflexes, narrowed field of vision, vision problems, and muscle weakness. If necessary, the doctor will usually recommend a blood test.
Muscle Weakness: Vitamin E is used as our body's main antioxidant which is essential for your central nervous system. Developing its deficiency results in oxidative stress, which leads to muscle weakness.
Based on current research, it usually takes 1-3 months of consistent supplementation to correct a vitamin deficiency. If you're severely deficient in a vitamin, it may take longer to restore optimal levels.
Thus, newborns, particularly preterm newborns, are at increased risk of vitamin E deficiency. However, with age, risk decreases because infants usually get enough vitamin E in breast milk or in commercial formulas. Adults can store large amounts of vitamin E in fat tissue, making the deficiency less likely.
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin with several forms, but alpha-tocopherol is the only one used by the human body. Its main role is to act as an antioxidant, scavenging loose electrons—so-called “free radicals”—that can damage cells. It also enhances immune function and prevents clots from forming in heart arteries.
Vitamin E deficiency skin effects can be significant. A lack of vitamin E can lead to: Dry, flaky, and irritated skin: The absence of sufficient vitamin E disrupts the skin's natural moisture barrier, making it more prone to dryness and irritation. This can exacerbate conditions such as eczema or dermatitis.
6 Signs of Nutrient Deficiency
Food. Numerous foods provide vitamin E. Nuts, seeds, and vegetable oils are among the best sources of alpha-tocopherol, and significant amounts are available in green leafy vegetables and fortified cereals (see Table 2 for a more detailed list) [9].
Since Vitamin E is fat-soluble and stored in body tissues such as the liver and fat, it is best absorbed 30 minutes after breakfast or with meals containing fats such as milk, nuts, butter, or yogurt. It is recommended that Vitamin E should not be taken on an overly full or empty stomach.
7 Signs You Have a Vitamin E Deficiency, According to a Dietitian
Types of Supplements and Expected Timelines
Water-soluble vitamins like vitamin C or B-complex may show energy or immune benefits within a few days. Fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamins A, D, E, and K may take weeks of consistent intake to build adequate levels.
However, taking your supplements at night isn't a good practice because your digestion and metabolism slow down when you're asleep. This means that when you take vitamins at night, they are not absorbed as efficiently as during the day.
Vitamin E deficiency can cause a form of anemia in which red blood cells rupture (hemolytic anemia). Preterm infants who have a vitamin E deficiency are at risk of this serious disorder.
A lack of vitamin A or calcium can be the reason for itchy skin. To determine whether you are deficient in these nutrients, it is advisable to consult with a healthcare professional. They can evaluate your symptoms alongside test results to recommend the appropriate treatment and dosage.
In addition to the usual neurological deficits described with this deficiency, the patient had severe bulbar weakness and vision loss which we attribute to the degree and duration of his vitamin E deficiency.
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.
Food groups in your diet
Studies have also found significant links between vitamin E and immune function, helping the prevention of certain cancers, a reduction in age-related eye disorders, and slowing cognitive decline associated with ageing. An average serving of two eggs provides 20% of the RDI of vitamin E.