Vitamin E represents a family of fat-soluble vitamins: alpha, beta, gamma, and delta tocopherols and tocotrienols.
Vitamin E is an antioxidant that promotes DNA repair, and is crucial for forming red blood cells. Vitamin E neutralizes free radicals that would otherwise damage cells and accelerate aging and cause various diseases.
Signs of vitamin E deficiency in infants include poor physical and mental development and delayed growth. In children, vitamin E deficiency may manifest as muscle weakness, ptosis (drooping upper eyelid), or dysarthria (motor speech disorder).
Vision problems – retinal thinning, blurred vision, and cataract – may indicate vitamin E deficiency. Enlarged prostate, impotence, and decrease in sex drive in males and fertility problems or miscarriages in females may be signs of vitamin E deficiency.
Vitamin E deficiency symptoms include ruptured red blood cells, abnormal fat deposits, degenerative changes in muscles, and neurological disorders.
Vitamin E deficiency is associated with pancreatic, gallbladder, liver, and celiac diseases characterized by poor nutrient absorption from the digestive tract.
Nervous system problems – sensation loss, pain, and tingling – in the arms, hands, legs, and feet may signify vitamin E deficiency.
Deficiency of vitamin E is a nutritional deficiency and can be overcome by eating a proper diet and taking vitamin E supplements under medical supervision.
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