• Vitamins and Supplements

The Symptoms and Causes of Vitamin E Deficiency

Medically reviewed and edited by Leah May APRN, FNP-C

Most people know that vitamin E is important for maintaining your overall health, but what happens if you don’t get enough of this nutrient?

From dry and dull skin to issues with balance and mobility, the effects of a vitamin E deficiency can have a significant impact on your quality of life — especially when left untreated.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at everything you need to know about vitamin E deficiency, including early warning signs, treatment, and prevention to help you take care of your health.

What is Vitamin E’s Role in the Body?

Vitamin E is an essential nutrient that supports various bodily functions that are important for maintaining overall health.

Due to its powerful antioxidant effect, vitamin E can help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. This can reduce the risk of chronic diseases, such as cancer.

Vitamin E also supports immune function, the cardiovascular system, and healthy skin in various ways. It’s also important for proper brain function, protecting you from cognitive decline.

Because vitamin E is vital for so many processes, it’s important to ensure you’re consuming enough of this nutrient — either through diet or supplementation. 

If you don’t, you can develop a vitamin E deficiency, which can contribute to various other health issues.

How much vitamin E do you need?

The amount of vitamin E you need varies depending on your age, gender, and overall health. 

The recommended daily intake (RDI) for most adults and teenagers over 14 years of age is 15 milligrams (mg) per day. Children under 14 require smaller doses, ranging from 6-11 mg daily.

Pregnant and breastfeeding women also have different vitamin E requirements and are advised to consume between 15 and 19 mg to support their health.

Consult your doctor about your vitamin E needs if you are over 65 or have children younger than one year of age. 

Your doctor can advise you on the appropriate vitamin E dose to help support your health.

What Causes a Vitamin E Deficiency?

Dietary causes 

One of the most common causes of vitamin E deficiency is following a diet that lacks this nutrient. 

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin, which means the body requires dietary fat to absorb it. 

Diets lacking fat — particularly vegetable oils — or other sources of vitamin E can cause a deficiency over time.

Individuals who follow highly restrictive diets or rely heavily on processed foods may not consume enough natural sources of vitamin E, increasing their risk of deficiency.

Malabsorption disorders

Certain medical conditions can impair the body’s ability to absorb fat, which can contribute to a vitamin E deficiency.

These conditions include fat malabsorption disorders — such as Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, liver disorders, and cystic fibrosis — that prevent the proper absorption of vitamin E. 

Malabsorption disorders often require medical intervention to help individuals manage their nutrient absorption.

It’s recommended to consult your doctor about an appropriate treatment regime.

Genetic factors

In rare cases, vitamin E deficiency occurs because of genetic factors.

This can be due to a condition called abetalipoproteinemia, a disorder that affects the body’s ability to produce lipoproteins.

Lipoproteins are essential for helping the body absorb and transport fat-soluble nutrients — like vitamin E.

If you can’t produce these compounds, your body won’t be able to obtain the necessary fats from foods or supplements. This can contribute to a severe deficiency over time. 

Individuals with this condition usually require specialized and continuous medical treatment, including taking vitamin E supplements in high doses.

Common Signs of a Vitamin E Deficiency

Neurological issues

Vitamin E plays a crucial role in protecting the nervous system from oxidative stress, which can damage neurons and other tissues if left untreated.

When you’re deficient in vitamin E, it can negatively affect the nervous system and cause neurological issues such as:

• Peripheral neuropathy: This condition involves damage to the peripheral nerves, causing symptoms like numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hands and feet. Peripheral neuropathy can make it difficult for people to perform everyday tasks and may significantly impact their quality of life.

• Ataxia: A lack of coordination and balance — known as ataxia — can occur with prolonged vitamin E deficiency. Ataxia can make walking difficult and increase the risk of falls, significantly impacting mobility and independence.

• Vision problems: The retina — the photoreceptor layer at the back of the eye — is particularly vulnerable to oxidative damage. Vitamin E deficiency can lead to retinal degeneration, resulting in vision problems such as blurred vision or difficulty seeing in low-light conditions. In severe cases, it may also contribute to blindness. 

These symptoms often develop gradually and can be mistaken for aging or other health issues, which can delay the proper diagnosis and treatment of a deficiency.

That’s why it’s recommended to consult your doctor if you develop any of these issues to ensure prompt medical treatment.

Immune system impact 

Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that supports the immune system by protecting cells from oxidative damage. 

A deficiency can weaken these immune cells, making the body more susceptible to infections and illnesses. It can also make it harder to recover from infections.

Vitamin E deficiencies can also contribute to the following immune system issues:

• Chronic inflammatory conditions: Vitamin E helps regulate the immune response and reduce inflammation. Without enough vitamin E, the body may not control inflammation effectively, worsening conditions like asthma or rheumatoid arthritis.

• Poor wound healing: Vitamin E also impacts skin health and healing. A deficiency impairs the body’s ability to repair damaged tissues, which leads to slower wound healing. The body may also have difficulty fighting off potential infections while the wound is healing, further delaying the process.

Skin and hair issues

A deficiency in vitamin E can contribute to noticeable changes in your skin and hair health, including: 

• Dry and flaky skin: Vitamin E helps maintain the skin’s moisture barrier and prevents dryness. Without enough vitamin E, your skin may become dry, flaky, and more prone to irritation. This can also exacerbate skin conditions like eczema or dermatitis.

• Hair loss: Vitamin E supports healthy hair growth by improving blood circulation to the scalp and protecting follicles from oxidative stress. A deficiency can cause hair follicles to weaken, leading to strands that are more prone to breakage. Over time, this can also contribute to hair loss.

• Hyperpigmentation: In some cases, vitamin E deficiency can lead to uneven skin tone or hyperpigmentation. This occurs because vitamin E helps protect the skin from sun damage and oxidative stress. Without it, the skin may be more susceptible to damage, leading to the development of dark spots.

Health Risks Associated with Long-Term Vitamin E Deficiency

Vitamin E is an essential nutrient for maintaining your overall well-being, but a long-term deficiency can contribute to a variety of health issues. These may include:

• Cognitive decline, which may be linked to the development of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia 

• More serious infections and illnesses that could negatively affect your quality of life

• Cardiovascular issues, including an increased risk of high blood pressure (hypertension), atherosclerosis (a buildup of cholesterol in the arteries), and coronary artery disease

• Muscle weakness and degeneration, which can contribute to impaired muscle function and reduced physical health (myopathy) 

• Developing premature signs of aging on the skin, such as fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots

• Reproductive health issues in men and women that could increase the risk of infertility

These risks indicate why it’s essential to seek medical attention to treat a vitamin E deficiency as soon as you suspect it. 

Preventing and Treating Vitamin E Deficiency

Dietary changes

For those who don’t live with a malabsorption disease, the most effective way to treat and prevent a vitamin E deficiency is by incorporating more foods rich in this nutrient into your diet. This may include foods like:

• Nuts and seeds 

• Vegetable oils 

• Leafy green vegetables

• Fortified foods 

• Certain fruits

• Whole grains

Since vitamin E is fat-soluble, it’s also important to include healthy fats in your diet to improve its absorption. This could consist of foods like olive oil, avocados, and fatty fish.

Lifestyle adjustments

In addition to dietary changes, certain lifestyle adjustments can help treat and prevent vitamin E deficiency — especially for individuals who are at risk of low vitamin E levels. 

These adjustments may include:

• Getting regular health checkups, especially if you have a condition that could affect nutrient absorption 

• Maintaining a healthy weight to improve nutrient absorption 

• Avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption that could interfere with the body’s ability to digest fats 

• Getting more regular physical exercise may enhance the distribution of vitamin E throughout the body more effectively

Supplementation 

In some cases — such as when the deficiency is severe — dietary and lifestyle changes may not be enough to treat the deficiency.

When this happens, your doctor may recommend vitamin E supplementation. These are potent doses of this nutrient that can help increase vitamin E levels in the body.

It’s important to consult your doctor before you start using any supplements to avoid a vitamin E overdose and other health complications. 

Where Can You Learn More About Managing Your Vitamin Intake?

If you’re looking for more information on healthy lifestyle habits to improve your overall well-being, LifeMD has got you covered.

A team of medical professionals can advise you on healthy habits — all from the comfort of your home. 

Make an appointment with LifeMD to take control of your health today.

Leah May APRN, FNP-C

Leah is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner specializing in Primary Care, Pediatrics, Men’s Health, and Obesity Medicine. She has been practicing in Telemedicine for over five years and is passionate about being able to deliver healthcare across the nation. During her downtime, her favorite things to do are spending time with her family trying new things, exploring new foods and places, and staying active.

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