Extending the Role of Vitamin E in Health

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble antioxidant that helps support heart and brain health, immune function, and more.¹

Twenty years ago, Life Extension reported on a meta-analysis of 19 clinical trials² showing that people with the highest levels of serum alpha-tocopherol (a form of vitamin E) had significantly lower risk of dying from cancer, cardiovascular disease, and other causes.³

Emerging evidence from observational studies, along with findings from prospective clinical trials, point to a promising role for vitamin E in supporting various aspects of health and well-being.

Here are some highlights.

Higher vitamin E intake associated with reduced mortality in rheumatoid arthritis patients.⁴

Researchers analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 1999 to 2018 on 2,906 patients aged 20 and older with rheumatoid arthritis. They found that higher dietary intake of vitamin E was associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality among patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Those in the top 50% of vitamin E intake had significantly lower risk of death from any cause, compared to those in the bottom half of intake.

Higher vitamin E intake associated with reduced risk of all-cause mortality and chronic lower respiratory disease mortality in COPD.⁵

In a study of 1,261 patients aged 40 and older with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a group of lung conditions causing restricted airflow and breathing problems, researchers found that higher vitamin E intake was associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality and death from chronic lower respiratory disease.

Higher vitamin E intake associated with lower incidence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.⁶

In a study analyzing data from 6,122 adults, researchers evaluated vitamin E intake using two 24-hour dietary recalls. They found that both dietary and supplemental vitamin E were significantly linked to reduced odds of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Dietary vitamin E intake in the highest quartile was associated with a 40% lower risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, while supplement use was associated with a 34% reduction. 

Vitamin E improves markers of metabolic function.⁷

A systematic review and meta-analysis of seven clinical trials involving participants aged 25 to 64 years found that vitamin E significantly improved liver health in adults with metabolic associated fatty liver disease (another name for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease).

It significantly improved two markers of liver function: alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). It reduced fat buildup in the liver, reduced inflammation in the lobes of the liver, and reduced swelling of liver cells. Vitamin E was also found to increase the resolution of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis, a more severe form of fatty liver disease.

Studies administered 200 to 600 mg of vitamin E daily for durations ranging from eight to 96 weeks.

Vitamin E improves insomnia in postmenopausal women.⁸

In a prospective, double-blinded, controlled trial, 160 postmenopausal women with chronic insomnia disorder were randomly assigned to receive either vitamin E (268 mg of mixed tocopherols) or a placebo daily.

After one month, the vitamin E group showed significantly improved scores on a standardized sleep quality questionnaire, indicating better sleep quality compared to the placebo group. The vitamin E group also had a greater reduction in the percentage of patients requiring sedative medications—15% compared to 7.5% in the placebo group.

Summary

Vitamin E has been connected to reduced mortality and reduced risk of many health conditions.

One concern specific to vitamin E is an issue of lower bio-availability when delivered synthetically.⁹ For optimal benefits, choose a non-synthetic vitamin E.

If you have any questions on the scientific content of this article, please call a Life Extension Wellness Specialist at 1-866-864-3027.

References

1. Available at: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminE-HealthProfessional/. Accessed June 16, 2025.
2. Wright ME, Lawson KA, Weinstein SJ, et al. Higher baseline serum concentrations of vitamin E are associated with lower total and cause-specific mortality in the Alpha-Tocopherol, Beta-Carotene Cancer Prevention Study. Am J Clin Nutr. 2006 Nov;84(5):1200-7.
3. Available at: /magazine/2007/3/awsi. Accessed June 17, 2025.
4. Yin Y, Dong Y, Cao Y, et al. Association of Vitamin E Intake with All-Cause Mortality Among Individuals with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Cohort Study from the NHANES 1999-2018. J Am Nutr Assoc. 2025 Feb;44(2):89-95.
5. Tian M, Li W, He X, et al. Higher Vitamin E Intake Reduces Risk of All-Cause Mortality and Chronic Lower Respiratory Disease Mortality in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: NHANES (2008-2018). Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis. 2024;19:1865-78.
6. Qi X, Guo J, Li Y, et al. Vitamin E intake is inversely associated with NAFLD measured by liver ultrasound transient elastography. Sci Rep. 2024 Jan 31;14(1):2592.
7. Chee NM, Sinnanaidu RP, Chan WK. Vitamin E improves serum markers and histology in adults with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease: Systematic review and meta-analysis. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2024 Dec;39(12):2545-54.
8. Thongchumnum W, Vallibhakara SA, Sophonsritsuk A, et al. Effect of Vitamin E Supplementation on Chronic Insomnia Disorder in Postmenopausal Women: A Prospective, Double-Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial. Nutrients. 2023 Feb 27;15(5).
9. Schmölz L, Birringer M, Lorkowski S, et al. Complexity of vitamin E metabolism. World J Biol Chem. 2016 Feb 26;7(1):14-43.