The term vitamin E describes a family of 8 antioxidants, 4 tocopherols and 4 tocotrienols. alpha-tocopherol (a-tocopherol) is the only form of vitamin E that is actively maintained in the human body and is therefore, the form of vitamin E found in the largest quantities in the blood and tissue.

Why do we need vitamin E?
Vitamin E, a fat-soluble vitamin, protects vitamin A and essential fatty acids from oxidation in the body cells and prevents breakdown of body tissues.

Do we get enough vitamin E?
According to recent surveys of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the intake of vitamin E by women 19 to 50 years of age averaged less than 90% of the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA). Men of the same age had intakes close to 100% of the RDA. We need to remind ourselves that the RDA is an absolute minimum requirement, below which your body is actually in deficiency.