Vitamin E is an essential nutrient that supports the overall health of your body. By fighting against harmful free radicals—which roam through the body looking for molecules to bond with—Vitamin E acts as a powerful antioxidant. Not only does it boost your immune system by supporting T cell growth and function, it also provides some surprising benefits including improved skin health, better eye health and more.
There are many safe and effective ways to boost your daily Vitamin E intake, from traditional capsules to skin-healing topicals. Here’s a brief guide to the best ways to supplement Vitamin E.
Topicals are best-suited for skin care
Vitamin E is a group of molecules with related structures, and some of these molecules offer unique benefits when it comes to skin health. Normally, sebum provides Vitamin E to the skin, but topical application can provide skin with the specific Vitamin E forms that aren’t readily available from diet alone.
Topical forms of Vitamin E can fight free radicals from damaging the appearance and overall health of your skin. As free radicals move through your body looking for molecules to bond with, they break down the DNA of your skin and contribute to many skin problems, from fine lines and wrinkles to dull skin tone and dark spots.
While you can’t avoid free radicals completely—and a small amount is necessary for your general health—topical oils and moisturizing creams with all-natural Vitamin E fight against free radical damage. These products feed your skin with the antioxidants it needs to maintain elasticity, even tone and an overall youthful look.
Gel caps offer accurate dosing
Gel caps offer an incredibly convenient way to supplement with Vitamin E or any other nutrients your doctor deem necessary. If you’re looking for a quick, simple, odorless and tasteless way to boost your daily Vitamin E intake, capsules are a great option.
Gel caps are small enough to take with you on the go and swallow with ease, but they do take longer for the body to absorb them since it has to break down the coating before absorbing the nutrients. If you do decide that a capsule is right for you, make sure to choose an all-natural product with the highest concentrations of pure Vitamin E available to enjoy the most benefits.
Powdered supplements offer versatility
For quick and efficient absorption, powdered Vitamin E is an excellent supplement that can be quite tasty, too. Vitamin E powders come in a variety of flavors that can be added to water, milk, coffee and more. If you find a powder that suits your taste buds, you’ll be more likely to remember to take your Vitamin E supplement as a drink each day, providing you with great results as a result of your consistency.
The main benefit Vitamin E powders have over gel caps is quick absorption. When you ingest a powdered supplement, the only barrier to absorption is your own mouth. As soon as you ingest powder, it begins working its way through your system. It’s stored in tissues throughout the body to use whenever cells detect the presence of free radicals. If you want your supplement to work quickly and taste great, Vitamin E in powdered form could be a great option. Again, go all-natural for best results.
Always make sure you’re supplementing safely
While most people don’t receive the recommended daily intake of Vitamin E (15mg per day) through diet alone, it’s easy to supplement with any of the options described above. Not only can Vitamin E fight off free radicals that lead to disease and skin concerns, but it can also boost your body’s immune system among a whole host of other benefits.
When supplementing with Vitamin E, or any other vitamin for that matter, it’s best to get a professional opinion before making any decisions. If your doctor gives you the go ahead to use a Vitamin E supplement, make sure to do your research since not all options are created equal. You need a supplement that’s all-natural—it’s absorbed better through the body than a synthetic form, and is effectively transported where it needs to go, acting as a shield against the threat of free radicals and oxidative stress.
Whether you get it through food, skincare products, supplements or a combination of all three, Vitamin E is nonetheless an important part of total body health and wellness. The bottom line? Consult with your physician to make sure you’re getting a recommended daily dose.