Vitamin E - Why is Vitamin E Important for Children?

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin that the body stores for later use. It occurs naturally in some foods, is added to others, and is available in supplements. Of its eight forms, alpha-tocopherol is the most active in humans. (1)

Vitamin E supports immune function, helps cells communicate, and has anti-inflammatory properties. It also widens blood vessels to prevent clotting. (2)

Vitamin E protects the skin, helps with conditions like psoriasis and acne, and supports healthy aging. Ensuring kids get enough in their diet promotes these benefits. (1)

How Does Vitamin E Function in Your Child’s Body?

Vitamin E, like other fat-soluble vitamins, requires fats for absorption. It is absorbed in the small intestine, stored in the liver, and essential for overall well-being. (1)

Vitamin E helps protect your child’s body from pathogens and supports disease prevention. Its powerful antioxidant properties fight free radicals—harmful compounds formed during fat oxidation, energy production, and environmental exposure. By reducing free radical damage, vitamin E lowers the risk of future health issues like hypertension, cancer, and heart disease. (1)(3)

Why do Children Need Vitamin E?

For proper growth and development, your kids need an adequate amount of both macronutrients and micronutrients. Without these nutrients, including vitamin E, children may face multiple ailments. (4)

Some of the many benefits of vitamin E are:

Supports the immune system
Maintains skin health
Promotes hair growth
Supports heart health

Supports the immune system: Like other nutrients, vitamin E is essential for your child’s health. It protects kids from illness and infection by boosting their immune system, making it a crucial part of your children’s daily dietary needs.

Vitamin E boosts your child’s immune system by increasing T-cell production, which helps fight infections and activate other immune cells. Research shows that kids taking vitamin E supplements for five weeks are less likely to get sick. (5)

Maintains skin health: Vitamin E keeps your baby’s skin smooth and fresh by reducing cell damage. Research shows that applying vitamin E topically can help protect against UV-related skin damage. (6)

Vitamin E oil is a great moisturizer for your child’s sensitive skin. Studies show that almond oil, rich in vitamin E, is safe for baby massages. Experts also suggest that applying vitamin E to premature babies can strengthen their skin without harm. (7)

Promotes hair growth: Vitamin E oil nourishes your child’s scalp by locking in moisture and promoting hair growth. Mixing it with coconut oil supports a healthy scalp, and a gentle massage adds a soothing touch!

In 2010, a study concluded that people taking vitamin E supplements observe a significant decline in hair loss. It is thought that the antioxidant property of this vitamin reduces the oxidative stress of the scalp that contributes to hair loss. (4)

Supports heart health: Vitamin E supports heart health, especially in children with genetic risk factors. Studies show that moderate supplementation of vitamins E and C may reduce heart disease risk, and taking 400 IU of vitamin E can lower the risk by 20–40%. (8)

What is Vitamin E Deficiency?

Vitamin E deficiency is rare in children but can occur due to underlying conditions. Premature infants may also have low levels due to their immature digestive system, which struggles to absorb fat and fat-soluble vitamins.

Some primary causes of vitamin E deficiency include:

Genetics: Deficiency of this vitamin often runs in families. Some genetic diseases can lead to the deficiency of this vitamin in kids such as ataxia with vitamin E deficiency (AVED) (an inherited degenerative disease of the brain) and abetalipoproteinemia (a condition that disturbs normal absorption of fat-soluble vitamins from food). (9)
Medical conditions: Vitamin E deficiency can also result from diseases that severely affect fat absorption in the body, such as celiac disease, liver diseases, and cystic fibrosis (an inherited disease that affects the digestive system and lungs of children). (10)

The common signs and symptoms of vitamin E deficiency include:

Weakness and muscle pain
The feeling of tingling and numbness
Difficulty with walking and coordination
Vision deterioration
Weak immune system

Weakness and muscle pain: If your child complains of muscle pain or weakness, it could be due to a vitamin E deficiency. This vitamin is crucial for the nervous system, and a lack of it can lead to muscle and nerve damage. Vitamin E helps prevent oxidative stress and muscle weakness, acting as the body's main antioxidant. (10)

The feeling of tingling and numbness: A vitamin E deficiency can cause nerve and muscle damage, interfering with proper nerve transmission. This can lead to symptoms like loss of feeling and tingling, particularly in the legs and arms. (8)

Difficulty with walking and coordination: Vitamin E deficiency can break certain neurons (purkinje), affecting their ability to send signals to the body. This disruption leads to coordination and walking difficulties in children. (1)

Vision deterioration: Vitamin E deficiency in children can weaken light receptors in the retina, leading to vision problems and potential vision loss over time. (10)

Weak immune system: Vitamin E deficiency can weaken the immune system, reducing immune cell production and increasing the risk of infections. Research shows that both children and older adults benefit from additional vitamin E to support immune function. (2)

How Much Vitamin E Does Your kid Need per day?

Dosing recommendations for vitamin E are given in the Dietary Reference Intake (DRI), as developed by the Food and Nutrition Board (FNB). To feel confident you are receiving the optimal amount of nutrients, follow DRI recommendations. (1)

Is it OK to take vitamin E everyday? Yes, vitamin E has many benefits when taken in recommended amounts that are backed by science! The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for this vitamin, provided in milligrams (mg), is listed out below. (1)

Age	Recommended daily amount in milligrams (mg)*
0-6 months	4 mg
7-12 months	5 mg
1-3 years	6 mg
4-8 years	7 mg
9-13 years	11 mg
14+ years	15 mg

*Recommended amounts of vitamin E are the same for both males and females. People who are pregnant or lactating may require additional amounts, and you should seek the guidance of your physician if you fall into this category.

Should you Give Vitamin E Supplements to Your Child?

Most kids get enough vitamin E from fortified foods, vegetables, and nuts. However, if they need supplementation, consult a pediatrician to ensure proper dosing based on age, diet, and absorption factors. (11)

Foods That are Rich in Vitamin E

Most kids get enough vitamin E from foods like vegetable oils, nuts, sunflower seeds, fortified cereals, and leafy greens. In the U.S., vegetable oils and fortified cereals are common sources of this vitamin in children’s diets. (2)

Here are some foods that contain a healthy amount of vitamin E. (1)

Food Name	Serving size	Milligrams (mg) per serving
Wheat germ oil	1 tbsp	20.3 mg
Sunflower seeds, roasted	1 oz	7.4 mg
Sunflower oil	1 tbsp	5.6 mg
Hazelnuts, dry, roasted	1 oz	4.3 mg
Peanuts, dry, roasted	1 oz	2.2 mg
Spinach, boiled	1/2 cup	1.9 mg
Kiwi fruit	1 medium	1.1 mg
Tomato, raw	1 medium	0.9 mg
Spinach, raw	1 cup	0.6 mg

What are the Side Effects of Taking too Much Vitamin E?

Vitamin E is generally safe for all when the recommended amounts are taken. However, consuming high doses of vitamin E can cause several side effects, including diarrhea, fatigue, headache, nausea, skin rashes, intestinal cramps, weakness, and blurred vision. (8)

Research shows that mega doses of vitamin E may increase the risk of prostate cancer, heart attack, stroke, and bleeding. It can also interact with medications and herbs like antibiotics and anticoagulants. Always consult your physician before starting supplements, especially if surgery is planned or if your child is taking other medications. Stick to recommended doses to avoid harmful side effects. (11)(12)

Summary

Vitamin E is a crucial fat-soluble vitamin for children, found in vegetable oils, nuts, and seeds. As a potent antioxidant, it supports immune function, promotes hair growth, and keeps skin healthy. A deficiency can lead to increased risk of infections, hair loss, and weakness. Ensure your child gets enough vitamin E through their diet, and consult a pediatrician for supplements if needed. Always follow healthcare providers’ guidance for your child's nutritional needs.

References

Disclaimer: The content of this blog post is intended for informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should not use this information for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing any medication or other treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider before taking any medication or nutritional, herbal or homeopathic supplement and with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Vitamin K - All About Vitam... Vitamin D - How Does Vitami...