Keeping your cholesterol levels in check is very important for your overall health. Doing so can help you lower your risk of heart-related conditions such as stroke or heart attack.
There are several ways you can lower high cholesterol, including medication and lifestyle changes. Increasing your vitamin E intake may also help.
Read on to learn how this works and discover ways to incorporate more vitamin E into your diet.
What does the research say?
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble compound that includes two groups of chemicals: tocopherols and tocotrienols. Some research suggests that tocotrienols may affect cholesterol.
A small 2011 study done on people with high cholesterol found that those who took tocotrienols experienced lower levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol after 5 months. LDL cholesterol is the type that’s often referred to as “bad” cholesterol because it contributes to plaque buildup in your arteries.
Additionally, some research suggests that tocotrienols may improve arterial health, lower blood pressure, and reduce risk of other heart-related conditions. However, much of this research has been done on animals. More human studies are needed in order to confirm these effects.
Where to find vitamin E
As an antioxidant that can help protect cells from damage, vitamin E plays an important role in your overall health.
Many people get enough vitamin E from the foods they eat. Foods high in vitamin E include:
- Vegetable oils
- Nuts and seeds
- Leafy greens
- Fortified cereals and margarine
Palm oil and bran rice oil are especially rich in tocotrienols.
If you don’t get enough vitamin E in your diet, you can also take vitamin E supplements. These are commonly found either in liquid or capsule form.
Since vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin that can be stored in your body, it’s important not to take too much of it. For adults, the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) is 15 milligrams per day.
Be sure to talk with your doctor before taking any supplements.
