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E5.0
Vitamin E Research
Likely helps
575 peer-reviewed studies
What the evidence says
Likely helps
Vitamin E appears to help in 9 of 9 studies with measurable effects — the evidence leans clearly favourable.
Most evidence is from high-quality meta-analyses and randomised trials published 1978–2026 with a typical study size of 504 participants.
Based on 572 studies · 88 meta-analyses · 414 RCTs · 313,605 total participants
Confidence
High confidence
What the studies found
9helped· 563 more without graded effect data
By outcome
Heart & blood pressureLarge trials show no cardiovascular benefit; high doses may raise heart-failure risk · 8-12 weeks
Likely helps469 studies
InflammationA meta-analysis of 26 RCTs found a modest CRP reduction, with IL-6 and TNF-a lower only in subgroups · 8-12 weeks
Too few graded studies65 studies
Therapeutic & clinical
Too few graded studies64 studies
Women's healthOnly modest, delayed hot-flash relief; estrogen far more effective · 4-8 weeks · Antioxidant vitamins eased dysmenorrhea in some trials; vitamin E alone unconfirmed · 1-3 cycles
Too few graded studies37 studies
Glucose & metabolic
Too few graded studies30 studies
Cholesterol & lipidsLarge trials show no cardiovascular benefit; high doses may raise heart-failure risk · 8-12 weeks
Too few graded studies29 studies
Liver health
Too few graded studies23 studies
Safety profile
Too few graded studies17 studies
Cognitive function
Too few graded studies11 studies
Neuroprotection & brain agingLimited signal slowing tardive-dyskinesia worsening; no broad cognitive benefit · Ongoing
Too few graded studies11 studies
Vision & eye health
Too few graded studies11 studies
Men's vitality
Too few graded studies11 studies
Recovery
Too few graded studies10 studies
Immune support
Too few graded studies6 studies
Joint pain & arthritis
Too few graded studies6 studies
Fertility & reproductive
Too few graded studies5 studies
Skin healthAntioxidant; oral skin-appearance evidence is modest/weak · 12 weeks · Plausible antioxidant role but little oral-supplement evidence for skin · 4-8 weeks
Too few graded studies4 studies
Endurance & exercise performance
Too few graded studies4 studies
Bone health
Too few graded studies2 studies
Depression & mood
Too few graded studies1 study
Anxiety & stress
Too few graded studies1 study
By the numbers
Pulled from 69 studies with measurable effects
Likely real effects
100%
across studies
People studied
314k
typical study: 504 people
Strongest designs
502
88 pooled, 414 randomised
Showed benefit
100%
9/9 studies
How long studies ran
1–4 weeks
1
1–3 months
4
3+ months
1
Populations Studied
General population6
Alzheimer's disease patients3
Patients with NAFLD2
Adults2
Steady research
157 studies in the last 5 years · Latest meta-analysis: 2026
197820022026
1Meta-Analysis2026
In plain English: In this updated Cochrane systematic review, meta-analysis of results on the ataxia rating scale showed that pharmacological treatments probably make little or no difference compared with placebo after 12 months of treatment.
Lyons S, Kearney M, Fahey MC, Janjal P, Pandolfo M, Patton P. · The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2026)
Cardiac abnormalities cause premature death in 60% of people with FRDA.
We calculated the mean difference (MD) or standardised mean difference (SMD) for continuous outcomes, and the risk ratio (RR) for dichotomous outcomes, all with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).
All of the studies enroled both males and females, with the proportion of female participants ranging from 21% to 58%.
2Glycemic control improvementMeta-AnalysisCited 45×n=2,171 · very large study2023
In plain English: In conclusion, vitamin E intake has a beneficial role in improving HbA1c and insulin resistance in a population with diabetes.
Asbaghi O et al. · Nutrition journal (2023)
38 RCTs, 2171 diabetic patients. HbA1c MD -0.21% (95% CI -0.33 to -0.09), fasting insulin MD -1.05 µIU/mL and HOMA-IR MD -0.44, all significant.
Fasting blood glucose was not significantly changed overall (MD -3.35 mg/dL, 95% CI -8.10 to 1.40, P = 0.16).
However, in subgroup analyses, we found that vitamin E intake significantly reduced fasting blood glucose in studies with an intervention duration of < 10 weeks.
4Joint pain, swelling, and stiffness in rheumatoid arthritisMeta-AnalysisCited 18×n=39,845 · very large study2023
In plain English: Vitamin E supplementation was shown to be more effective in individuals with RA for sensitive joints (MD = -1.66, 95% CI - -6.32-2.99; I2 = 93%; P < 0.00001) and swollen joints (MD = -0.46, 95% CI - -1.98-1.07; I2 = 56%; P = 0.08).
Kou H et al. · European journal of clinical nutrition (2023)
Nine publications with a total of 39,845 patients. Controls received placebo, other drugs, or external therapy.
Tender joints MD -1.66 (95% CI -6.32 to 2.99, I2 = 93%) and swollen joints MD -0.46 (95% CI -1.98 to 1.07, P = 0.08). Both confidence intervals include zero, so neither pooled result is statistically significant, although the abstract describes vitamin E as more effective.
The abstract's conclusion that vitamin E reduces joint discomfort, edema, and stiffness is not supported by its own pooled estimates.
5Fasting blood glucose reductionMeta-AnalysisCited 34×n=14,223 · very large study2023
In plain English: Low to very low certainty evidence established chromium supplements as the most effective in reducing fasting blood glucose levels and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (SUCRAs: 90...
Xia J et al. · Pharmacological research (2023)
Low to very low certainty evidence established chromium supplements as the most effective in reducing fasting blood glucose levels and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (SUCRAs: 90.4% and 78.3%, respectively).
Vitamin K supplements ranked best in reducing glycated hemoglobin A1c and fasting insulin levels (SUCRAs: 97.0% and 82.3%, respectively), with moderate to very low certainty evidence.
Vanadium supplements ranked best in lowering total cholesterol levels with very low evidence certainty (SUCRAs:100%).
6Systolic blood pressure reductionMeta-AnalysisCited 13×n=2,218 · very large study2024
In plain English: According to the results, vitamin E might be an effective measure to reduce SBP, but more research is needed to validate this finding.
Qi S et al. · BMJ open (2024)
Noticeable benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Among the five vitamins, only vitamin E was significantly more effective at reducing SBP (mean difference: -14.14 mm Hg, 95% credible intervals: -27.62 to -0.88) than placebo.
The dose of vitamins, geographical region and percentage of males (only SBP) might be sources of heterogeneity.
According to the results, vitamin E might be an effective measure to reduce SBP, but more research is needed to validate this finding.
7Major cardiovascular eventsMeta-AnalysisCited 138×n=188,209 · very large study2013
In plain English: Antioxidant vitamin supplementation has no effect on the incidence of major cardiovascular events, myocardial infarction, stroke, total death, and cardiac death.
Ye Y, Li J, Yuan Z · PLoS One (2013)
Antioxidant vitamin supplementation as compared to placebo had no effect on major cardiovascular events (RR, 1.00; 95%CI, 0.96-1.03).
No effect on myocardial infarction (RR, 0.98; 95%CI, 0.92-1.04), stroke (RR, 0.99; 95%CI, 0.93-1.05), or total death (RR, 1.03; 95%CI, 0.98-1.07).
15 trials reporting data on 188,209 participants were included (vitamin E, beta-carotene, and vitamin C).
8Endometriosis related pelvic pain reductionMeta-AnalysisCited 44×n=589 · large study2023
In plain English: The included studies support the potential role of antioxidant vitamins in the management of endometriosis.
Zheng SH et al. · Reproductive biology and endocrinology : RB&E (2023)
Conversely, supplementation of vitamin D was associated with a reduction in pelvic pain in endometriosis patients, but the difference was not statistically significant compared to the placebo.
Furthermore, the inflammatory markers in peritoneal fluid, including RANTES, interleukin-6, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, significantly decreased after antioxidant therapy.
The included studies support the potential role of antioxidant vitamins in the management of endometriosis.
9Aspartate aminotransferase reductionMeta-AnalysisCited 42×n=794 · large study2023
In plain English: Among studies testing vitamin E supplementation at 400 IU/day and above, the values of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were reduced compared with placebo or no intervention [ALT Mean Difference (MD) = -6.99 IU/L, 95% CI (-9.63, -4.35), for studies conducted in Asian countries and MD = -9.57 IU/L, 95% CI (-12.20, -6.95) in non-Asian countries].
Vogli S et al. · Nutrients (2023)
Noticeable benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
A total of 794 patients from 12 randomized trials were included in this meta-analysis.
At 400 IU/day and above, ALT fell by 6.99 IU/L in Asian and 9.57 IU/L in non-Asian studies versus placebo or no intervention.
AST fell by 4.65 IU/L in Asian studies, and the non-Asian estimate (MD -5.60 IU/L, 95% CI -11.48 to 0.28) was not significant.
10HDL-c, glycemic indices, hormonal profile in PCOSMeta-AnalysisCited 22×n=504 · large study2022
In plain English: This meta-analysis highlights the potential anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties of vitamin E supplementation alone or in combination with omega-3 or magnesium on PCOS patients.
Heidari H et al. · Scientific reports (2022)
Ten RCTs (with 504 participants), pooling vitamin E alone with vitamin E plus omega-3 or magnesium.
Vitamin E supplementation or vitamin E in combination with omega-3 or magnesium could significantly reduce serum levels of TG (WMD: -18.27 mg/dL, 95% CI -34.68 to -1.87), LDL-c (-12.84 mg/dL, 95% CI -22.15 to -3.52), and hs-CRP (-0.60 ng/mL, 95% CI -0.77 to -0.44).
No significant effect was found on HDL-c, glycemic indices, hormonal profile, anthropometric measurements, and other biomarkers of inflammation or oxidative stress.
11Placental abruption preventionMeta-AnalysisCited 107×n=22,129 · very large study2015
In plain English: The data do not support routine vitamin E supplementation in combination with other supplements for the prevention of stillbirth, neonatal death, preterm birth, pre-eclampsia, preterm or term PROM or poor fetal growth.
Rumbold A et al. · The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2015)
Large benefitCombination product. Contains: vitamin E, vitamin C, other agents
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Twenty-one trials, involving 22,129 women were eligible for this review. All of the 17 trials contributing data assessed vitamin E in combination with vitamin C and/or other agents.
No clear difference for stillbirth (RR 1.17, 95% CI 0.88 to 1.56), neonatal death, pre-eclampsia (RR 0.91, 95% CI 0.79 to 1.06), preterm birth or intrauterine growth restriction.
Women supplemented with vitamin E in combination with other supplements compared with placebo were at decreased risk of having a placental abruption (RR 0.64, 95% CI 0.44 to 0.93, seven trials, 14,922 participants, I² = 0%; high quality evidence).
12Serum alkaline phosphatase reductionMeta-AnalysisCited 20×n=1,066 · large study2024
In plain English: Given the very low certainty evidence, we do not know if long-term treatment (18 months to 24 months) with vitamin E administered alone affects all-cause mortality, serious adverse events, quality of life, or non-serious adverse events in people with NAFLD when compared with placebo or no intervention.
Wen H et al. · The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2024)
Noticeable benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
16 randomised clinical trials involving 1066 paediatric and adult participants, vitamin E 298 IU to 1000 IU daily.
Vitamin E likely slightly reduces serum ALT (MD -9.29, 95% CI -13.69 to -4.89; 11 trials, 708 participants) and AST (MD -4.90, 95% CI -7.24 to -2.57; 11 trials, 695 participants), moderate certainty.
Effects on all-cause mortality (RR 3.45, 95% CI 0.57 to 20.86; 3 trials, 351 participants) and serious adverse events are very uncertain.
13Serum CRP levelsMeta-AnalysisCited 83×n=2,102 · very large study2020
In plain English: In conclusion, our findings revealed a beneficial effect of vitamin E supplementation, particularly in the form of α-tocopherol, on subclinical inflammation in adults.
Asbaghi O et al. · Scientific reports (2020)
Noticeable benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Likely real
Based on 36 effect sizes from 26 RCTs on serum concentrations of CRP, we found a significant reduction following supplementation with vitamin E (- 0.52, 95% CI - 0.80, - 0.23 mg/L, P < 0.001).
Although the overall effect of vitamin E supplementation on serum concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6) was not significant, a significant reduction in this cytokine was seen in studies that used α-tocopherol and those trials that included patients with disorders related to insulin resistance.
TNF-α was reduced significantly only at dosages of ≥ 700 mg/day vitamin E.