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Dosing

The below doses are based on scientific research, publications, traditional use, or expert opinion. Many herbs and supplements have not been thoroughly tested, and safety and effectiveness may not be proven. Brands may be made differently, with variable ingredients, even within the same brand. The below doses may not apply to all products. You should read product labels, and discuss doses with a qualified healthcare provider before starting therapy.

Adults (over 18 years old)

Foods that contain vitamin E include eggs, fortified cereals, fruit, green leafy vegetables (such as spinach), meat, nuts, nut oils, poultry, vegetable oils (corn, cottonseed, safflower, soybean, sunflower), argan oil, olive oil, wheat germ oil, and whole grains. Cooking and storage may destroy some of the vitamin E in foods.

Most individuals in the United States are believed to obtain sufficient vitamin E from dietary sources, although individuals with very-low-fat diets or intestinal malabsorption disorders may require supplementation. Recommended dietary allowances (RDAs) for vitamin E are provided in alpha-tocopherol equivalents (ATEs) to account for the different biological activities of the various forms of vitamin E, as well as in international units (IU), which food and supplement labels often use. For conversion, one milligram of an ATE=1.5 IU. The RDA for men or women older than 14 years old is 15 milligrams (or 22.5 IU); for pregnant women of any age, it is 15 milligrams (or 22.5 IU), and for breastfeeding women of any age, it is 19 milligrams (or 28.5 IU).

For adults older than 18 years, the tolerable upper limit of dosing for supplementary alpha-tocopherol recommended by the U.S. Institute of Medicine is 1,000 milligrams daily (equivalent to 1,500 IU). This limit recommendation is not altered during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Treatment of vitamin E deficiency should be under medical supervision, tailored to the underlying cause of the deficiency, and may include vitamin E taken by mouth or injected into the vein. If the cause is due to chronic malnutrition and there is no evidence of malabsorption, an oral dose that is 2-5 times greater than the RDA may be considered. If the cause is malabsorption that cannot be corrected, then vitamin E injected into the vein may be necessary. Dosing recommendations vary by the underlying cause.

No specific dosing of vitamin E has been established for other conditions, and there is recent evidence suggesting possible adverse health effects from long-term use of daily supplementation with 400 IU or greater daily. Although controversial, the use of long-term vitamin E supplementation should be approached cautiously until further evidence from prospective clinical trials is available. Various doses and durations have been evaluated in clinical trials, although many have not been proven as effective or safe. It is recommended that patients discuss the choice of dosing and duration with a licensed healthcare professional.

Children (under 18 years old)

Recommended dietary allowances (RDAs) for vitamin E are provided in alpha-tocopherol equivalents (ATEs) to account for the different biological activities of the various forms of vitamin E, as well as in international units (IU), because food and supplement labels often use this system. For conversion, one milligram of an ATE=1.5 IU. There is no RDA for infants, but there is a recommended adequate intake (AI) for healthy breastfeeding infants 0-6 months old of four milligrams daily (6 IU), and for infants 7-12 months old of five milligrams daily (7.5 IU). The RDA for children 1-3 years old is six milligrams daily (9 IU); for those 4-8 years old, it is seven milligrams daily (10.5 IU); for those 9-13 years old, it is 11 milligrams daily (16.5 IU); for those older than 14 years old, it is 15 milligrams daily (22.5 IU); for pregnant women of any age, it is 15 milligrams (22.5 IU); and for breastfeeding women of any age, it is 19 milligrams (28.5 IU).

An upper limit for infants up to 12 months of age has not been established. The tolerable daily upper limit of dosing for those 1-3 years old is 200 milligrams (300 IU); for those 4-8 years old, it is 300mg (450 IU); for those 9-13 years old, it is 600 milligrams (900 IU); and for those 14-18 years old, it is 800 milligrams (1,200 IU).

Treatment of vitamin E deficiency should be under medical supervision, tailored to the underlying cause of the deficiency, and may include vitamin E taken by mouth or injected into the vein. If the cause is due to chronic malnutrition and there is no evidence of malabsorption, an oral dose that is 2-5 times greater than the RDA may be considered. If the cause is malabsorption that cannot be corrected, then vitamin E injected into the vein may be necessary. Vitamin E absorption may improve if given with meals, in small doses.

No specific dosing of vitamin E has been well established for other conditions.

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