About Vitamin E
Natural d-alpha-tocopherol is twice as bioavailable as synthetic dl-alpha-tocopherol, since the body only utilizes four of the eight synthetic stereoisomers—always check labels for the "d-" prefix. Mixed tocopherols (alpha, beta, gamma, delta) provide broader antioxidant protection than alpha alone. Tocotrienols, the other vitamin E family, offer additional cardiovascular and neuroprotective benefits not shared by tocopherols.
What Vitamin E supports
- Protects cells as antioxidant
- Supports circulation
- Boosts immune response
How much Vitamin E to take
Clinical studies typically use 50–268 mg of Vitamin E. Equivalent to 100–400 IU natural d-alpha-tocopherol.
- RDA
- 15 mg
- Upper limit (UL)
- 1000 mg
- Effective range
- 50–268 mg
Forms of Vitamin E compared
- Mixed tocopherolsPremiumAlpha, beta, gamma, delta — full antioxidant spectrum.
- d-alpha tocopherol (natural)PremiumNatural form, ~2× the activity of synthetic dl-alpha.
- dl-alpha tocopherol (synthetic)BudgetSynthetic, ~50% activity
Clinical evidence
Strong clinical evidence. Natural d-alpha form is 2x more bioavailable than synthetic; mixed tocopherols provide broader antioxidant coverage
NIH Fact Sheet