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Vitamin E (Alpha-Tocopherol)

Primary fat-soluble antioxidant protecting cell membranes from oxidative damage

Scientific nameAlpha-Tocopherol FormulaC29H50O2 Molecular weight430.71 g/mol CAS59-02-9
75 absorption score
8 safety / 10
12 USD per month
5 documented interactions

Check it against something

Evidence level A

Vitamin E (Alpha-Tocopherol) with:

Compatibility score 94 out of 100
94 out of 100
Works better together Compatible. Timing differs, so follow each supplement's own window.

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What it does

mechanism and evidence for each claim

Antioxidant protection

Neutralizes free radicals in cell membranes

Breaks free radical chain reactions in lipid peroxidation Evidence A-grade 2-4 weeks

Cardiovascular health

May reduce risk of heart disease

Prevents LDL oxidation and supports endothelial function Evidence B-grade 8-12 weeks

Immune support

Enhances immune cell function

Protects immune cell membranes from oxidative stress Evidence A-grade 4-8 weeks

Skin health

Protects skin from UV damage and aging

Prevents lipid peroxidation in skin cells Evidence A-grade 6-10 weeks

Neurological protection

May slow cognitive decline

Protects neuronal membranes from oxidative damage Evidence B-grade 12-24 weeks

Others take these for the same thing

Same goal, different mechanism — check any of them against this one

Every pair we checked

12 combinations scored by the engine
Vitamin E (Alpha-Tocopherol) + Caffeine No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70
Vitamin E (Alpha-Tocopherol) + Creatine Monohydrate No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70
Vitamin E (Alpha-Tocopherol) + Whey Protein No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70
Vitamin E (Alpha-Tocopherol) + Turmeric No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70
Vitamin E (Alpha-Tocopherol) + Iron Sulfate May reduce vitamin E effectiveness Needs attention 76
Vitamin E (Alpha-Tocopherol) + Selenium (Thyroid Support) Very high vitamin C may reduce selenium absorption Needs attention 82
Vitamin E (Alpha-Tocopherol) + Lactase Improved calcium absorption when consuming dairy Works better together 82
Vitamin E (Alpha-Tocopherol) + Bovine Collagen Essential for collagen synthesis and cross-linking Works better together 82
Vitamin E (Alpha-Tocopherol) + DHA Prevents oxidation of DHA and enhances stability Works better together 82
Vitamin E (Alpha-Tocopherol) + Vitamin D3 Regenerates oxidized vitamin E Works better together 90
Vitamin E (Alpha-Tocopherol) + Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) Synergistic antioxidant protection Works better together 90
Vitamin E (Alpha-Tocopherol) + Calcium Carbonate Essential for calcium absorption and utilization Works better together 94

Dosage

With fat meal
Daily100-400 IU
Maintenance100-200 IU
Therapeutic200-400 IU
Maximum1000 IU
Toxic3200+ IU daily for months
Upper limit 1000 mg NIH ODS

Before you take it

VeganYes

When to expect it

First Effects2-4 weeks for antioxidant status improvement
Peak Benefits8-12 weeks for cardiovascular and immune benefits
Deficiency DevelopmentYears due to extensive body stores
Toxicity OnsetMonths of very high doses

How to measure it

$50-70
MarkerAlpha-tocopherol
Optimal12-42 μmol/L (5.2-18.0 mg/L)
Deficient below12 μmol/L (5.2 mg/L)
FrequencyOnly if deficiency suspected or high-dose supplementation

What people actually reported to the FDA

CAERS, 107 reports naming it as the suspect

Most reported effects

Nausea 15
Diarrhoea 11
Headache 10
Vomiting 10
Dizziness 9
Named as the suspect 107 reports of 646 that mention it at all
Serious outcome 79% hospitalisation, emergency room or worse
Other Serious or Important Medical Event66
Hospitalization41
Visited a Health Care Provider31

Reports are voluntary and unverified — they record what someone experienced while taking something, not what the compound caused. Counts skew towards products people take a lot of, and a serious outcome is more likely to be reported than a mild one, so these are not rates. How we filter them →

Works better with

3 documented
+
Vitamin C

Regenerates oxidized vitamin E

Reduces vitamin E radicals back to active form · level A
+
Selenium

Works together in antioxidant defense

Complementary antioxidant pathways · level A
+
Coq10

Synergistic antioxidant protection

Different cellular compartments and mechanisms · level B

What not to take with Vitamin E (Alpha-Tocopherol)

2 documented
!
Iron Supplements

May reduce vitamin E effectiveness

Iron catalyzes oxidation that depletes vitamin E · moderate significance
!
Polyunsaturated Fats Excess

Increases vitamin E requirements

More substrate for lipid peroxidation · moderate significance

Medication interactions

Discuss these with a pharmacist before combining
warfarin-blood-thinners Major

Increased bleeding risk

What to do: Monitor INR closely, limit to 100 IU daily

chemotherapy Moderate

May interfere with treatment effectiveness

What to do: Discuss with oncologist before use

Available forms

bioavailability compared

Ranks 2 of 4 among vitamin e forms. Vitamin E (Gamma-Tocopherol) absorbs better — 85%. Compare all forms →

d-Alpha-Tocopherol (natural) 75
dl-Alpha-Tocopherol (synthetic) 50
Mixed Tocopherols 70

d-Alpha-Tocopherol (natural): Higher bioactivity, Better retention, Preferred by body

dl-Alpha-Tocopherol (synthetic): Less expensive, Widely available, Stable

Mixed Tocopherols: Balanced ratio, Other tocopherols included, More natural

Food sources

before you supplement
Wheat germ oil 149 mg/100g · 80
Sunflower seeds 35 mg/100g · 75
Almonds 25 mg/100g · 70
Safflower oil 34 mg/100g · 80

Too little

deficiency signs
  • Muscle weakness and atrophy
  • Vision problems and retinal damage
  • Immune system impairment
  • Neurological problems
  • Anemia (hemolytic)
  • Reproductive issues
  • Increased oxidative stress markers

Too much

toxicity signs
  • Increased bleeding tendency
  • Nausea and diarrhea
  • Fatigue and weakness
  • Headache
  • Blurred vision
  • Skin rashes
  • Interference with vitamin K

Who benefits most

athletes

Higher oxidative stress from intense exercise

200-400 IU daily
smokers

Increased free radical exposure and oxidative stress

400-600 IU daily
elderly

Reduced antioxidant capacity and increased oxidative stress

200-400 IU daily
sun-exposed-workers

Increased UV exposure and skin oxidative damage

200-400 IU daily
heart-disease-risk

May help prevent LDL oxidation

200-400 IU daily

Where to buy it

compare forms first

Look for Vitamin E (Alpha-Tocopherol) at 100-400 IU per serving. The form that matters here is d-Alpha-Tocopherol (natural).

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How it works

  • Primary lipid-soluble antioxidant in cell membranes
  • Breaks free radical chain reactions
  • Protects polyunsaturated fatty acids from oxidation
  • Modulates gene expression and cell signaling
  • Supports immune cell membrane integrity
  • Prevents LDL cholesterol oxidation

Key findings

what the evidence supports
  • Mixed results for cardiovascular disease prevention (Cochrane 2017)
  • May reduce risk of age-related macular degeneration (JAMA 2001)
  • Supports immune function in elderly (AJCN 2007)
  • Controversial prostate cancer risk findings (SELECT trial 2011)

Sources: NIH Examine.com · data reviewed 2026-08-02

Compiled by Denis, who maintains this database and holds no medical qualification — every figure here is sourced or derived, never asserted. How we calculate it →

Common questions

What are the benefits of Vitamin E (Alpha-Tocopherol)?

Documented effects: Antioxidant protection; Cardiovascular health; Immune support; Skin health. Neutralizes free radicals in cell membranes

How much Vitamin E (Alpha-Tocopherol) should you take per day?

The common daily range is 100-400 IU. By goal — maintenance: 100-200 IU; therapeutic: 200-400 IU; maximum: 1000 IU; toxic: 3200+ IU daily for months.

When is the best time to take Vitamin E (Alpha-Tocopherol)?

With fat meal. First effects are typically reported within 2-4 weeks for antioxidant status improvement.

What are the side effects of Vitamin E (Alpha-Tocopherol)?

At excessive doses: Increased bleeding tendency, Nausea and diarrhea, Fatigue and weakness, Headache, Blurred vision. Safety rating at normal doses is 8 out of 10.

What should you not take with Vitamin E (Alpha-Tocopherol)?

Separate it from Iron Supplements, Polyunsaturated Fats Excess by two to four hours. May reduce vitamin E effectiveness

Does Vitamin E (Alpha-Tocopherol) interact with medications?

Documented interactions with warfarin-blood-thinners, chemotherapy. Discuss these with a pharmacist before combining.

How much Vitamin E (Alpha-Tocopherol) is too much?

The tolerable upper intake level is 1000 mg per day for adults, per NIH ODS. Above that, the risk of adverse effects rises: Increased bleeding tendency, Nausea and diarrhea, Fatigue and weakness.

How do you know if you need Vitamin E (Alpha-Tocopherol)?

The marker is Alpha-tocopherol, optimal range 12-42 μmol/L (5.2-18.0 mg/L). Common deficiency signs: Muscle weakness and atrophy, Vision problems and retinal damage, Immune system impairment, Neurological problems.

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