Delta-tocopherol sources, health risks

Delta-tocopherol, with an E number of E309, is an antioxidant used for polyunsaturated fatty acids. It is the orally bio-available delta form of the naturally-occurring fat-soluble vitamin E. It is also used as a vitamin. This type of vitamin E is reported to be the most effective antioxidant among all of the tocopherols in non-biological matter.

Moreover, it acts as a protector for other nutrients from oxidation such as vitamin A. However, it is greatly destroyed by freezing. Delta-tocopherol has been found to have the ability to scavenge free radicals, thereby protecting cells against oxidative damage, although this has not yet been fully examined.

For commercial purposes, delta-tocopherol can be produced from cottonseed, maize, rice germ, soya been oil, wheat germ, or green leaves. It may also come from genetically modified sources.

The compound has a molecular formula of C₂₇H₄₆O₂.

Vitamin E or tocopherol is a group of compounds which include tocopherols and tocotrienols, and can be found naturally-occurring or produced synthethically. It can be found in most foods such as whole grain cereals, corn and cottonseed oils, egg yolks, meat, and milk.

Harmful effects that can be caused by delta-tocopherol

There is not much information on the harmful effects of delta-tocopherol, but extreme amounts of it, such as 1,000 units or over, can result to an increase in bleeding tendency, tiredness, weakness, headache, nausea, and possibly impaired immune function, according to an entry in RaySahelian.com. However, the side effects of overdosage can go away quickly after stopping from taking the supplement. A rare side effect of vitamin E is allergy, which can cause symptoms such as difficulty in breathing and swelling of the lips, tongue, or face. Moreover, overdosage or toxicity with vitamin E can lead to disruptions in the gastrointestinal tract.

According to an entry in HeathsNaturalFoods.com, vitamin E may cause the following:

• allergic reactions
• alterations in cholesterol levels
• alterations in insulin resistance
• blurred vision
• diarrhea
• dizziness
• fatigue
• flu-like symptoms
• headache
• heart conditions
• increased risk of death
• increased risk of fainting or falls
• increased risk of heart failure
• increased risk of high blood pressure in pregnancy
• increased risk of stroke, increased risk of tuberculosis
• kidney dysfunction
• nausea
• severe response to infection in pre-term babies
• sexual dysfunction
• stomach pain
• vision loss
• weakness

Vitamin E should also be used cautiously by people who smoke and by people with Alzheimer’s disease or mental degenerative disease, eye damage, kidney problems, heart conditions, and skin conditions.

Body systems harmed by delta-tocopherol

There are a few body systems harmed by delta-tocopherol. Delta-tocopherol may be harmful for the digestive system if swallowed as it can cause acute toxicity. It may also be bad for the integumentary system, particularly the skin. Delta-tocopherol may also cause adverse effects in the respiratory tract if inhaled.

Where to learn more

• Natural Vitamin E Slashes Lung Cancer Risk by 55 Percent
• Vitamin E slows aging, grows hair, prevents diabetes, improves brain function and blood flow
• Pumpkin — A surprising superfood that lightens depression, subdues inflammation and discourages kidney stones
• Vitamin E increases risk of prostate cancer? More junk science from JAMA
• Vitamin E, critical for brain health, is lacking in 90% of adults – find out how to add more to your diet!

Summary

Delta-tocopherol, with an E number of E309, is a form of vitamin E or tocopherol. This type of vitamin E is reported to be the most effective antioxidant among all of the tocopherols in non-biological matter.

High dosages of tocopherol can result to an increase in bleeding tendency, tiredness, weakness, headache, nausea, and impaired immune function.

Vitamin E may result to allergic skin reactions (inflammation or itching), blurred vision, changes in cholesterol levels, changes in insulin resistance, diarrhea, dizziness, fatigue, flu-like symptoms, headache, heart conditions, increased risk of death, increased risk of fainting or falls, increased risk of heart failure, increased risk of high blood pressure in pregnancy, increased risk of stroke, increased risk of tuberculosis, kidney dysfunction, nausea, severe response to infection in pre-term babies, sexual dysfunction, stomach pain, vision loss, and weakness.

Delta-tocopherol may be harmful to the body if ingested or inhaled, among others.

Sources include:

UKFoodGuide.net

RaySahelian.com

PubChem.NCBI.NLM.NIH.gov

HeathsNaturalFoods.com