Alpha-tocopherol

Studies in people

• No harm found

  Cholesterol in diabetes²

  In people with diabetes, alpha-tocopherol pills did not change cholesterol levels, except possibly when taken for many weeks.

• Benefit

  Bone thinning risk³

  In adults 50 and older, high alpha-tocopherol intake with low cadmium exposure was linked to lower osteoporosis risk.

Animal and lab studies only

• Concern

  Nerve and muscle health⁸

  In animal studies, alpha-tocopherol is needed for normal nerve and muscle function, but how low levels cause problems over time is unknown.

• Benefit

  Allergic airway inflammation⁹

  In mice, alpha-tocopherol reduced allergic airway inflammation, but it did not work in mice without the LKB1 gene.

Study type not stated

• Open question

  Vitamin E activity in the body⁴

  Alpha-tocopherol comes in natural and synthetic forms, and scientists still debate how well the body uses each one.

• Open question

  Vitamin E source comparison⁵

  Scientists do not yet know whether natural or synthetic alpha-tocopherol works better for preventing disease in people.

• Concern

  Bone health⁶

  Alpha-tocopherol may help bones at normal amounts but could be harmful in high doses; scientists do not yet know for sure.

• Concern

  Vitamin E balance in the body⁷

  Taking alpha-tocopherol supplements lowers the amount of gamma-tocopherol in your blood.

The signal at the top counts the findings in people and in animal and lab studies. A concern in studies of people outranks animal and lab studies, and “No concerns” needs at least two findings in people. Findings whose study type is not stated are shown but not counted. This page is a reference, not medical advice. It describes what regulators and published research say. Talk to a doctor or dietitian about your own diet.