What are the Types & Forms of Vitamin E

Although it’s not as talked about, vitamin E is a highly valuable antioxidant that helps prevent the production of harmful reactive oxygen species. This ability enables vitamin E to prevent oxidative stress, counteract inflammation, strengthen immunity, and reduce the risk of certain diseases.¹ Research has also linked vitamin E to improved skin health, helping soften the body’s largest organ, protect skin cells against damage, and prevent moisture loss.²

Recommendations from the Philippine Dietary Reference Intakes (PDRI) published by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) advise that Filipino adults aged 19 years old and up get approximately 14.9 IU of natural vitamin E or 22.2 IU of synthetic vitamin E daily. For breastfeeding women, experts suggest getting 20.86 IU of natural vitamin E or 31.08 IU of synthetic vitamin E daily.³

While vitamin E is said to be the most abundant antioxidant in the skin,⁴ the body can definitely use an assist in the form of both natural and synthetic sources. The former refers to foods that naturally contain vitamin E, while the latter refers to nutrients made in industrial settings.⁵

Which form of vitamin E best supports your health goals? Learn more about dl-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate here.

dl-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate: What to Know About This Type of Vitamin E

dl-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate is derived from one of the chemical forms of vitamin E called alpha-tocopherol. This is considered the “primary” type of vitamin E that’s found in the body⁵ and may be added to supplements and skincare products.⁶

To make this synthetic form of vitamin E, dl-Alpha-Tocopherol is converted into esters. This allows it to become more stable and increase the shelf life of products containing it.⁷

Stabilization Secrets: What Keeps Your Supplements Working

If there’s one advantage that dl-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate (and other forms of Tocopheryl Acetate) may have over natural vitamin E sources, it would be its stability.⁷ Supplement manufacturers don’t simply place a certain quantity of a nutrient into a capsule or tablet and call it a day.

A lot of trial-and-error is involved in creating supplements due to factors like the quality of ingredients and/or raw materials, the presence of substances previously unseen, interactions with other components, and undetermined stability and breakdown rates.⁸ These steps are done to ensure that nutrients remain inside a capsule or tablet, don’t evaporate over time, and can be delivered to the person supposed to take it.

The fact that dl-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate is said to be more stable is a good sign. Oftentimes, products with dl-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate can be stored in non-air-conditioned areas, provided that they are away from direct sunlight and temperatures do not exceed 30 degrees Celsius.

This way, you won’t need to constantly worry about the oxidation or evaporation of antioxidants before their expiration date or maintaining temperatures that’ll preserve a certain nutrient’s lifespan. Instead, you can focus your energy on other things that require your attention and be at ease knowing that the supplement you will be taking contains a helpful vitamin E dose.

Which Vitamin E Source Should You Ultimately Choose?

While both natural and synthetic sources of vitamin E do provide some amounts of this important nutrient, it may still be wise to prioritize eating as much healthy and nutrient-rich food as you can. Some good dietary sources of vitamin E include mangoes, avocados, red bell peppers, spinach, almonds, peanuts, and peanut butter.⁹

If you’re certain that there are days when you are unable to include vitamin E-rich food in your diet, ask your doctor about taking vitamin E supplements like dl-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E) Pharex® E. This supplement has 400 IU of a type of high-quality vitamin E⁵ called dl-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate. Together with proper diet and exercise, a supplement like this may help relieve and prevent a vitamin E deficiency while providing antioxidant abilities and supporting normal metabolic processes.¹⁰

Suggested use of dl-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E) Pharex® E is one (1) capsule daily or as recommended by a physician. It is advised to remember this maximum dose of vitamin E, since it is fat-soluble and can be toxic to the body if ingested in high amounts. Strive to keep your intake of this vitamin to 1490 IU of natural vitamin E and 2220 IU of synthetic vitamin E, considered the upper tolerable levels for adults 19 years old and above as highlighted by the Philippine Dietary Reference Intakes (PDRI).¹¹

After using this supplement, store it in an area where temperatures do not exceed 30°C to ensure the vitamin E remains stable and doesn’t oxidize.

dl-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E) Pharex® E is available in leading drugstores and pharmacies nationwide and online via Lazada and Shopee at a suggested retail price (SRP) of Php9.95 per capsule.

If symptoms persist, consult your doctor.