Vitamin EWhat is vitamin E?
Updated 10 Nov 2026
Short answer
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin and an antioxidant. The name covers 8 compounds: 4 tocopherols and 4 tocotrienols. Only one of them, alpha-tocopherol, meets human needs.[1]
The best food sources are nuts, seeds and plant oils, such as wheat germ oil, sunflower seeds and almonds.[1] Most supplements contain alpha-tocopherol, in its natural form (d-alpha-tocopherol) or its synthetic form (dl-alpha-tocopherol), often bound to acetate or succinate. Some also contain other tocopherols and tocotrienols.[1] By weight, the synthetic form is half as active as the natural form.[1]
Sources (1)
- Vitamin E: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. ods.od.nih.gov
More about vitamin e
Which foods contain vitamin E?What is vitamin E used for?Who is at risk of vitamin E deficiency?Is vitamin E safe?Does vitamin E prevent heart disease?Does vitamin E help fatty liver disease?For education; not medical advice. Talk to a doctor before you start, stop or change a supplement.