Vitamins
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is an essential, fat-soluble vitamin. Alpha-tocopherol is the form recognised as meeting human vitamin E requirements.
You can obtain vitamin E from foods such as vegetable oils, nuts and seeds. In human nutrition, vitamin E refers specifically to alpha-tocopherol. The broader vitamin E family comprises eight related compounds: four tocopherols and four tocotrienols. They do not all fulfil the same nutritional role. Naturally occurring alpha-tocopherol is RRR-alpha-tocopherol, whereas synthetic all-rac-alpha-tocopherol is a mixture of different stereoisomers.
What is vitamin E?
Vitamin E is an essential, fat-soluble vitamin. Alpha-tocopherol is the form that matters most for meeting human vitamin E requirements. The wider vitamin E family also includes other tocopherols and tocotrienols, which do not all have the same nutritional role.
Vitamin E is found, for example, in plant oils, nuts and seeds. Naturally occurring alpha-tocopherol is RRR-alpha-tocopherol. Synthetic all-rac-alpha-tocopherol is a mixture of different stereoisomers.
Function and intake
Vitamin E contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress. For adults, EFSA gives adequate intakes of 13 mg of alpha-tocopherol per day for men and 11 mg per day for women. These are reference values for healthy population groups, not individual requirements or supplement doses.
For adults, including during pregnancy and breastfeeding, EFSA sets a tolerable upper intake level of 300 mg of alpha-tocopherol per day. This is a safety limit, not a target or recommended supplement dose, and it is not an individual safety guarantee for certain at-risk groups.
How nutrition works
Protection from oxidative stress
Cardiovascular health
In adults without known vitamin E deficiency, vitamin E supplements have not demonstrated a benefit in preventing cardiovascular events. [3]
Blood coagulation
High vitamin E intake can impair blood coagulation and increase bleeding risk. [4]
Cognitive function
Vitamin E has not shown a clinically important cognitive benefit in Alzheimer's disease and probably does not prevent progression from mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer's dementia. [5]
Vision
There is insufficient evidence that vitamin E alone slows progression of age-related macular degeneration. [6]
Statements & evidence
Vitamin E contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress. [2][1]
This authorised claim may be used only for foods meeting at least the conditions for a source of vitamin E. It describes an established physiological function, but does not mean that high-dose supplements prevent disease.
EFSA sets adequate vitamin E intakes for adults at 13 mg of α-tocopherol per day for men and 11 mg per day for women. [4]
These are dietary reference values for healthy population groups, not individually determined requirements. They are not recommended supplement doses and do not establish additional benefits from higher intakes.
EFSA sets the tolerable upper intake level for vitamin E in adults at 300 mg of α-tocopherol per day, including during pregnancy and breastfeeding. [4]
This upper limit is not an intake target or a recommended supplement dose. It is based on possible impairment of blood coagulation and bleeding risks. It does not apply to people taking anticoagulant or antiplatelet medicines or to certain medically vulnerable groups. If this applies to you, discuss vitamin E supplements with a clinician.
In adults without known vitamin E deficiency, vitamin E supplements have not demonstrated a reduction in overall cancer incidence. [3]
A 2022 systematic review found no statistically established benefit across five randomised trials involving 76,777 participants: odds ratio 1.02, 95% confidence interval 0.98–1.08. This overall result does not imply identical effects for every cancer type and cannot be extrapolated to treatment of diagnosed deficiency.
In prevention trials involving adults without known vitamin E deficiency, vitamin E supplements have not demonstrated a reduction in all-cause mortality. [3]
The 2022 systematic review found no statistically established difference across nine randomised trials involving 107,772 participants: odds ratio 1.02, 95% confidence interval 0.97–1.07. This does not establish that every dose is free of risk in every population.
Evidence is insufficient to establish a general relationship between vitamin E intake and prostate cancer risk. [4]
In SELECT, taking 400 IU of synthetic vitamin E daily was associated with increased risk in older men. Other trials did not consistently corroborate this finding. EFSA therefore judged the overall evidence insufficient in 2024 to establish a general intake–risk relationship. The study dose is not an intake recommendation.
Safety information
Side effect
High supplemental doses can increase bleeding risk
High-dose vitamin E supplements can impair blood clotting, particularly with inadequate vitamin K intake or medicines that reduce clotting. NIH reports no demonstrated adverse effects from vitamin E in ordinary foods. [9]
Upper level · Adults
EFSA adult upper intake level: 300 mg daily
For adults, including during pregnancy and breastfeeding, the tolerable upper intake level is 300 mg of α-tocopherol daily from all dietary sources combined. It covers all stereoisomeric forms and is neither a recommended dose nor a guarantee of individual safety. [4]
Upper level · Infants (4–6 months)
EFSA upper intake level at 4–6 months: 50 mg daily
For infants aged 4–6 months, the upper intake level is 50 mg of α-tocopherol daily from all dietary sources. This is not a supplement dosing recommendation; seek paediatric advice before supplementation. [4]
Upper level · Infants (7–11 months)
EFSA upper intake level at 7–11 months: 60 mg daily
For infants aged 7–11 months, the upper intake level is 60 mg of α-tocopherol daily from all dietary sources. It is not a recommended supplemental dose; discuss supplements with a paediatric clinician. [4]
Upper level · Children (1–3 years)
EFSA upper intake level at 1–3 years: 100 mg daily
For children aged 1–3 years, the upper intake level is 100 mg of α-tocopherol daily from foods, fortified foods and supplements combined. It is not a recommended daily dose. [4]
Upper level · Children (4–6 years)
EFSA upper intake level at 4–6 years: 120 mg daily
For children aged 4–6 years, the upper intake level is 120 mg of α-tocopherol daily from all dietary sources combined. It is not a recommended daily dose. [4]
Upper level · Children (7–10 years)
EFSA upper intake level at 7–10 years: 160 mg daily
For children aged 7–10 years, the upper intake level is 160 mg of α-tocopherol daily from all dietary sources combined. It is not a recommended daily dose. [4]
Upper level · Children (11–14 years)
EFSA upper intake level at 11–14 years: 220 mg daily
For ages 11–14 years, the upper intake level is 220 mg of α-tocopherol daily from all dietary sources combined. It is not a recommended daily dose. [4]
Upper level · Adolescents (15–17 years)
EFSA upper intake level at 15–17 years: 260 mg daily
For adolescents aged 15–17 years, the upper intake level is 260 mg of α-tocopherol daily from all dietary sources combined. It is not a recommended daily dose. [4]
Caution
General upper intake levels do not apply to certain at-risk groups
EFSA upper intake levels do not apply if you take anticoagulants or antiplatelet medicines, receive secondary cardiovascular prevention, or have vitamin K malabsorption. Vitamin E supplements need individual clinical assessment even below these limits. [4]
Interaction
Caution with anticoagulants and antiplatelet medicines
If you take medicines such as warfarin or aspirin, vitamin E supplements can increase bleeding risk. Discuss use with your clinician or pharmacist; a reliably safe interaction threshold is not established. For Vedrop with vitamin K antagonists, EMA recommends monitoring clotting measures; clinician-led dose adjustment may be needed. [9][10]
Caution · Adults
Evidence of a haemorrhagic stroke safety signal
Studies of vitamin E supplementation in adults show a safety signal for haemorrhagic stroke. Findings vary by formulation and study population; they do not establish the same risk for every dose or for vitamin E in foods. [11]
Caution · Adults
Use supplements after a heart attack only with clinical supervision
If you have had a heart attack, do not self-prescribe vitamin E supplements. EFSA describes trial evidence suggesting increased heart-failure risk in this patient group; general upper intake levels do not provide an individual safety guarantee here. [4]
Caution · Adult men
Prostate cancer signal in a high-dose vitamin E trial
In SELECT, men assigned 400 IU of synthetic vitamin E daily had a 17% higher relative risk of prostate cancer. However, EFSA considers the overall evidence insufficient to establish a general relationship between α-tocopherol intake and prostate cancer. This finding should not be extrapolated to ordinary foods. [9][4]
Interaction
Check with your treatment team during chemotherapy or radiotherapy
Antioxidant supplements, including vitamin E, might affect the effectiveness of some cancer treatments. Evidence is controversial. If you receive chemotherapy or radiotherapy, agree supplement use with your oncology team; this is not a blanket warning against vitamin E in foods. [9]
Interaction · Adults
Limited evidence on antioxidants with simvastatin and niacin
In a study, vitamin E combined with other antioxidants reduced the rise in HDL cholesterol during simvastatin plus niacin treatment. This does not establish an interaction from vitamin E alone or with all statins. Discuss combined antioxidant supplements if you receive this treatment. [9]
Caution · Pregnant women
No routine supplementation to prevent pregnancy complications
A Cochrane review does not support routine vitamin E supplementation with other supplements to prevent pregnancy complications. Combination regimens increased abdominal pain and rupture of membranes before labour at term. These harms cannot confidently be attributed to vitamin E alone; discuss additional supplementation with your maternity clinician. [12]
Side effect
Vedrop: diarrhoea and other product-specific adverse effects
With the prescription tocofersolan product Vedrop, diarrhoea is common and the frequency of abdominal pain is unknown. Uncommon reactions include headache, weakness, skin reactions, hair loss, electrolyte changes and increased transaminases. These frequencies should not be generalised to all vitamin E products. [10]
Contraindication
Vedrop: contraindicated with hypersensitivity and in preterm newborns
Vedrop must not be used with hypersensitivity to tocofersolan or an excipient, or in preterm newborn infants. These are contraindications for this medicine, not a general prohibition on dietary vitamin E. [10]
Interaction
Vedrop may increase absorption of certain substances
Tocofersolan may increase absorption of fat-soluble vitamins and certain highly lipophilic medicines, such as ciclosporin or tacrolimus. If you receive Vedrop, clinical monitoring and possible dose adjustment may be needed. No interaction studies were performed; this warning is product-specific. [10]
Caution
Assess Vedrop individually during pregnancy and breastfeeding
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, Vedrop requires an individual clinical benefit–risk assessment. EMA reports no clinical pregnancy-exposure data and uncertainty about passage into human milk. This caution concerns tocofersolan, not ordinary foods containing vitamin E. [10]
Caution
Monitor Vedrop with kidney or liver impairment
If you have kidney or liver impairment and receive Vedrop, EMA recommends caution and close monitoring of the affected organ function. This is not a blanket contraindication to vitamin E in foods. [10]
Found in
Frequently asked questions
How much vitamin E do I need each day?
EFSA sets an adequate intake for adults of 13 mg of α-tocopherol per day for men and 11 mg for women. These are reference values, not individual recommendations.
What does vitamin E do?
Vitamin E contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress. This is an authorised EU health claim.
Do vitamin E supplements protect against cardiovascular disease?
In adults without a known vitamin E deficiency, supplements have not been shown to prevent cardiovascular events.
Can high doses of vitamin E increase bleeding risk?
Yes. A high intake of vitamin E can impair blood clotting and increase bleeding risk.
What is the EFSA upper limit for vitamin E in adults?
EFSA sets the tolerable upper intake level for adults at 300 mg of α-tocopherol per day, including during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
More entries
Folate
Folate is a water-soluble B vitamin. Its active forms take part in DNA synthesis and amino-acid metabolism.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is an essential, fat-soluble vitamin. Your diet supplies it as preformed vitamin A or as precursors from plant foods.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is an essential, water-soluble vitamin. Your body needs it for normal nervous-system function, red blood cell formation and DNA synthesis.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an essential, water-soluble vitamin that you need to obtain through your diet. Its principal chemical form is L-ascorbic acid.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin. The term mainly covers vitamins D₂ and D₃; your body can produce D₃ in the skin through exposure to UVB radiation.
Vitamin K
Vitamin K is an essential, fat-soluble vitamin. Your body needs it to activate proteins involved in blood clotting and bone metabolism.
Sources
- 01EFSA Journal · 2010Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to vitamin E pursuant to Article 13(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006DOI 10.2903/j.efsa.2010.1816
- 02European Commission · 2012Commission Regulation (EU) No 432/2012 establishing a list of permitted health claims made on foods, other than those referring to the reduction of disease risk and to children's development and healthOpen source
- 03US Preventive Services Task Force · 2022Evidence Summary: Vitamin, Mineral, and Multivitamin Supplementation to Prevent Cardiovascular Disease and Cancer: Preventive MedicationOpen source
- 04EFSA Journal · 2024Scientific opinion on the tolerable upper intake level for vitamin EDOI 10.2903/j.efsa.2024.8953
- 05Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews · 2017Vitamin E for Alzheimer's dementia and mild cognitive impairmentDOI 10.1002/14651858.cd002854.pub5
- 06Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews · 2023Do antioxidant vitamin and mineral supplements slow down the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD)?Open source
- 07EFSA Journal · 2015Scientific Opinion on Dietary Reference Values for vitamin E as α-tocopherolEFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA)DOI 10.2903/j.efsa.2015.4149
- 08European Parliament and Council of the European Union · 2011Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 on the provision of food information to consumersOpen source
- 09National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary SupplementsVitamin E - Health Professional Fact SheetOpen source
- 10European Medicines AgencyVedrop, INN-tocofersolan: product informationOpen source
- 112024Vitamin E supplementation (alone or with other antioxidants) and stroke: a meta-analysisPubMed 37698992Open source
- 12CochraneVitamin E supplementation in pregnancyOpen source
- 13ANSES – French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety – Ciqual French food composition table · 2025Almond, with peel, no added salt (CIQUAL 15000)Open source
- 14ANSES – French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety – Ciqual French food composition table · 2025Broccoli, raw (CIQUAL 20057)Open source
- 15ANSES – French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety – Ciqual French food composition table · 2025Egg, raw (CIQUAL 22000)Open source
- 16ANSES – French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety – Ciqual French food composition table · 2025Oat flakes (CIQUAL 32140)Open source
- 17ANSES – French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety – Ciqual French food composition table · 2025Orange, flesh without skin, without seeds, raw (CIQUAL 13034)Open source
- 18ANSES – French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety – Ciqual French food composition table · 2025Pumpkin and squash, seed, dried (CIQUAL 15064)Open source
- 19ANSES – French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety – Ciqual French food composition table · 2025Salmon, raw, farmed (CIQUAL 26036)Open source
- 20ANSES – French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety – Ciqual French food composition table · 2025Spinach, raw (CIQUAL 20059)Open source
- 21BMJ · 2010Effects of vitamin E on stroke subtypes: meta-analysis of randomised controlled trialsOpen source
- 22Deutsche Gesellschaft für ErnährungFAQ Vitamin EOpen source
- 23National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary SupplementsVitamin E — Fact Sheet for ConsumersOpen source
- 24Cochrane · 2024What are the benefits and risks of vitamin E for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease?Open source