Vitamin E Fat soluble vitamin Describes a family of eight antioxidants: four tocopherols (alpha-, beta-, gamma-, and delta-)

and four tocotrienols (alpha-, beta-, gamma-, and delta-). Alpha-tocopherol is the only form of vitamin E that is actively maintained in the human body; therefore, it is the form of vitamin E found in the largest quantities in blood and tissues.

Functions Sources
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. an antioxidant that protects body tissue from damage caused by substances called free radicals. *Free radicals - can harm cells, tissues, and organs. helps keep the immune system strong against viruses and bacteria. also important in the formation of red blood cells and it helps the body use vitamin K. also helps widen blood vessels and keep blood from clotting inside them.

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.