Deficiency and excess of vitamin E in the human body: sources, symptoms, and the pivotal role of this essential antioxidant in nutrition
David Janitzek
2026-03-22
3 min. read
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Vitamins constitute an indispensable foundation for sustaining homeostasis and ensuring the optimal performance of all bodily systems. Given the human body’s inability to synthesize these compounds endogenously, their levels must be consistently replenished through a balanced dietary intake. Chronic or acute insufficiency—medically termed hypovitaminosis—manifests through a constellation of concerning clinical symptoms, including generalized weakness, immunological dysfunction, musculoskeletal pain, heightened capillary fragility, dermatological alterations, and accelerated cellular aging. It is noteworthy that certain vitamins, including vitamin E (tocopherol), exhibit potent antioxidant properties, enabling them to scavenge free radicals and decelerate age-related degenerative processes. This article provides a comprehensive examination of the roles, sources, and implications of both deficiency and excessive supplementation of vitamin E within the framework of public health.
What products contain vitamin E?
Vitamin E is widely distributed in nature. It is found in both plant and animal products. A rich source of vitamins are vegetable fats. In animal fats, it is relatively scarce. Due to the amount of cereal products consumed, they are an important source of vitamin E. Vegetables and fruits also contain vitamin E, but in a slightly smaller amount [2].
Vitamin E deficiency
Vitamin E deficiency in humans is rare. If it occurs, it is usually not a result of insufficient vitamin intake in the diet, but is due to impaired absorption, gastrointestinal circulation problems, or a consequence of haemolytic anemia. Symptoms of hypothyroidism include: decreased vitamin E in the blood plasma, accelerated breakdown of red blood cells, muscular dystrophy, degenerative changes in the nervous system, impaired memory of the blood cells in men, dysfunction during pregnancy, fetal obstruction, loss of oxygen in the fetus.
Overdosing with vitamin E
Vitamin E is well tolerated by the human body. Taking 200 to 600 mg a day does not cause symptoms of toxicity in adults. People who were given up to 1000 mg per day of vitamin E for 5 months had symptoms of deficiency, such as headaches, drowsiness, digestive disorders. However, even such high doses of the vitamin did not cause toxic effects in them.[2] However, it should be remembered that excessive vitamin E intake (e.g. in the form of dietary supplements) can also lead to hyperaminosis, to which symptoms include pain, irritation of the eyes, weakening of the body's constituents, causing inflammation of the skin.