Protects unsaturated fats in cell membranes from oxidation.
Switzerland age 18–65: 11 mg/day women, 13 mg/day men.
Nuts, seeds, wheat germ, vegetable oils, avocado and green vegetables.
Rare; severe fat malabsorption can cause nerve damage, muscle weakness and haemolytic anaemia.
Deficiency mainly affects people with fat absorption or transport disorders. High-dose supplements do not reliably prevent chronic disease.
No reliable hair or nail signs.
Fat malabsorption and rare genetic fat-transport disorders.
Use laboratory testing for clinical suspicion and interpret relative to blood lipids.
Food first; routine high-dose supplements are not indicated.
High supplemental doses can promote bleeding and interact with anticoagulants.