Vitamin E, also known as tocopherol, is a fat-soluble vitamin that is an essential nutrient for humans. It is believed that vitamin E is a potent antioxidant that protects cell membranes and other fat-soluble parts of the body, such as low-density lipoprotein (LDL or “bad”) cholesterol from damage. It also appears to protect the body against cardiovascular disease and certain forms of cancer and has demonstrated immune-enhancing effects. Vitamin E may be benefitial for people suffering from asthma and rheumatoid arthritis. It may be effective in protecting against air pollution and some other toxins and is believed to be a useful supplement for preventing some neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. It may also help protect skin from ultraviolet radiation and sunburns.

Vitamin E deficiency typically occurs as a result of a number of malabsorption syndromes and as a result of protein-energy malnutrition. It is possible that vitamin E deficiency in some individuals may be caused by genetic defects, fat malabsorption syndromes, as well as by a wide range of hepatobiliary, pancreatic, and intestinal disorders including cystic fibrosis, primary biliary cirrhosis, chronic pancreatitis, short bowel syndromes, Crohn's disease, celiac disease, mesenteric vascular thrombosis, blind loop syndrome, intestinal pseudo-obstruction, intestinal lymphangiectasia, Whipple's syndrome, and sclerodermal bowel disease. The effects of vitamin E deficiency in children can many times be reversed by supplementation with vitamin E.

The primary condition that occurs as a result of vitamin E deficiency in humans is peripheral neuropathy which is characterized by the degeneration of axons in the sensory neurons. However, there are many other syndromes and long lasting effects of severe vitamin E deficiency.

Supplemental vitamin E has been used in connection with the following conditions:

• Anemia (may have other cause than vitamin E deficiency)
  
• Burns (in combination with vitamin C for prevention of sunburns)
  
• Epilepsy (for children only)
  
• Immune function (for elderly people)
  
• Intermittent claudication
  
• Rheumatoid arthritis
  
• Tardive dyskinesia
  
• Possibly Alzheimer's disease