Indications for Use, Safe Dosage, and Possible Side Effects from Taking Vitamin E - Term Paper Example

The paper “Indications for Use, Safe Dosage, and Possible Side Effects from Taking Vitamin E" is a sapid example of a term paper on health sciences & medicine. Vitamin E is considered being a must-take vitamin had at one point become a do-not-take vitamin. Today it is considered to be generally safe at the low dosage of 400 IU (International Units), although some articles say that up to 1,000 IU and even 1,600 IU for the short term are safe. However, according to Gentill (2011), the safety of even using Vitamin E of 400 IU for the long term is questionable.

With that dosage, data shows an increase in heart failure in patients with chronic disease as well as an increase in mortality rates. It is important to know that there are two classes of vitamins; namely, those that are water-soluble and those that are fat-soluble. Vitamin E falls into the latter category, which means that it, unlike a water-soluble vitamin, is not excreted in the urine but is stored in adipose tissue, liver, and muscle (Gentille, 2011). Vitamin E has been a very controversial and sometimes maligned vitamin.

According to Hausman (1987), some doctors claim that it prevents blood clots while others say that it contributes to blood clots. Some say that high doses cause fatigue while others believe it is energizing. Hausman (ibid) says that “sorting out the conflicting comments has been an education in itself.” Ultimately it seems that after researching this vitamin, reading about it, listening to lectures on it, and discussing it with their doctors, patients end up deciding for themselves if they will take Vitamin E; and if so, at what dosage and for how long.

For many, their decisions will change several times as they listen to and read about this much-discussed vitamin. When people were asked in a popularity poll about their reasons for taking Vitamin E, there were a goodly number of people who said it was to combat wounds and skin irritation, the tendency to abnormal “overplotting” of blood, rare skin disorders, the pain left by herpes infections, sunburns, arthritis, athletes foot, blood fat disorders, leg cramps, and dry skin. People also said that they took Vitamin E to prevent aging, cancer, heart attacks and strokes, hazards of pollution, a decline of the immune system, and deterioration of eyesight (ibid).

Gentill (2011) says that three meta-analysis articles state that no decrease nor increase in cardiovascular events and mortality rates were found, even with varying dosages of Vitamin E. There was, however, a significant increase in the all-cause mortality rates in nine of the eleven trials in the groups that received 400 IU or more of Vitamin E, as opposed to the groups who did not receive this vitamin. However, the extent to which the findings can be generalized is debatable because of the small number of subjects in the high dosage trials.

Furthermore, the tests were conducted on patients with chronic diseases.The Heart Outcomes Prevention Evaluation and Ongoing Outcomes (HOPE-TOO) was a randomized trial that gave one group of subjects with diabetes and vascular disease 400 IU of Vitamin E and the other a placebo and followed them for 7.2 years. While there was no decrease in vascular events or cancer deaths, there was an increase in heart failure (ibid).With respect to coagulopathy, there was an increase in bleeding when Vitamin E and Warfarin were administered together with an increase in PT due to the depletion of Vitamin K-dependent clotting factors, which, apparently does not occur in healthy individuals.

Gingival bleeding was increased when Vitamin E and Aspirin were taken together. Men, ages 50 to 69, who smoked had a 181% increased risk of a fatal subarachnoid hemorrhage, but a decrease of 14% of cerebral infarction. Furthermore, Vitamin E had no effect on the number of total strokes.Only one study showed a small increase in sepsis when Vitamin E was administered to premature neonates. Subjects in two clinical trials reported weakness and fatigue when 800 IU/d was administered, and in another trial, the emotional disturbance was reported.

Gastric distress and transient nausea occurred in some individuals taking 2,000 to 2,500 IU/d. At 3,200 IU/d, diarrhea and intestinal cramps were reported. Delayed wound healing, headache, muscle weakness, and headache were also reported (ibid).Functions of Vitamin E that are generally accepted are antioxidant and immune system supporting actions and the strengthening of cell membranes. It also helps in the formation of red blood cells and the utilization of Vitamin K in the body (Terry, 2011).

It should be noted that Vitamin E is contained in most face creams and hand lotions. Up to 5% may get into cells below the skin’s surface, which is not a negative situation. It helps with eczema, ulcers, cold sores, and shingles (Zest for Life, 2011).Symptoms of Vitamin E deficiency may include fatigue, varicose veins, slow-healing wounds, low fertility, acne, anemia, muscle disease, dementia, gallstones, cancers, uterine degeneration, miscarriage, and shortened red blood cell life span (ibid).

When purchasing Vitamin E, some labels indicate the two main sources; namely, d-alpha-tocopherol and dl-alpha-tocopherol. The former is from natural sources and the latter from synthetic. Both have the same effectiveness (ibid).In conclusion, Vitamin E toxicity comes about mainly as the result of overdoses. The only medications that really represent problems when taking Vitamin E are Warfarin and Aspirin in that they may cause excessive bleeding.