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E9.0
Vitamin E Research
Likely helpsModerate safety
117 peer-reviewed studies
What the evidence says
Likely helps
Vitamin E appears to help in 14 of 14 studies with measurable effects — the evidence leans clearly favourable.
Most evidence is from high-quality meta-analyses and randomised trials published 1997–2026 with a typical study size of 459 participants.
Based on 117 studies · 37 meta-analyses · 21 RCTs · 684,898 total participants
Confidence
High
What the studies found
14helped· 103 more without graded effect data
By outcome
Heart & blood pressureReduces LDL oxidation though mixed evidence on outcomes · 8-12 weeks
Likely helps81 studies
Therapeutic & clinical
Likely helps19 studies
InflammationAntioxidant protection for cardiovascular system · 8-12 weeks
Mostly mechanism / observational19 studies
Liver health
Mostly mechanism / observational14 studies
Women's healthMay help manage menopausal symptoms like hot flashes and mood changes · 4-8 weeks · Supports healthy estrogen metabolism and hormonal equilibrium · 4-8 weeks · May help reduce menstrual discomfort and PMS symptoms · 1-3 cycles · Provides essential nutrients for healthy pregnancy · Ongoing
Cholesterol & lipidsReduces LDL oxidation though mixed evidence on outcomes · 8-12 weeks
Mostly mechanism / observational5 studies
Fertility & reproductiveMay support reproductive health and fertility markers · 4-12 weeks
Mostly mechanism / observational3 studies
Immune support
Too few graded studies2 studies
Recovery
Too few graded studies2 studies
Joint pain & arthritis
Too few graded studies2 studies
Skin healthLipid-soluble antioxidant protects skin from UV and oxidative damage · 4-8 weeks
Too few graded studies1 study
Men's vitality
Too few graded studies1 study
Endurance & exercise performance
Too few graded studies1 study
Bone health
Too few graded studies1 study
By the numbers
Pulled from 35 studies with measurable effects
Likely real effects
100%
across studies
People studied
685k
typical study: 459 people
Strongest designs
58
37 pooled, 21 randomised
Showed benefit
100%
14/14 studies
How long studies ran
1–3 months
3
3+ months
2
Populations Studied
Adults with type 2 diabetes2
Patients with NAFLD2
General population2
Women with endometriosis2
Active research area
104 studies in the last 5 years · Latest meta-analysis: 2025
199720112026
1Fasting blood glucose reductionMeta-AnalysisCited 31×n=14,223 · very large study2023
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%).
2Systolic blood pressure reductionMeta-AnalysisCited 12×n=2,218 · very large study2024
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.
3Glycemic control improvementMeta-AnalysisCited 42×n=2,171 · very large study2023
This meta-analysis examined the effects of Vitamin E.
Asbaghi O et al. · Nutrition journal (2023)
However, in subgroup analyses, we found that vitamin E intake significantly reduced fasting blood glucose in studies with an intervention duration of < 10 weeks.
In conclusion, vitamin E intake has a beneficial role in improving HbA1c and insulin resistance in a population with diabetes.
Moreover, short-term interventions with vitamin E have resulted in lower fasting blood glucose in these patients.
5Joint pain, swelling, and stiffness in rheumatoid arthritisMeta-AnalysisCited 16×n=39,845 · very large study2023
Vitamin E's ability to restore the intestinal barrier and improve the gastrointestinal tract may be linked to the prevention and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
Kou H et al. · European journal of clinical nutrition (2023)
Vitamin E's ability to restore the intestinal barrier and improve the gastrointestinal tract may be linked to the prevention and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
Vitamin E supplements used on a regular basis can help individuals with RA reduce joint discomfort, edema, and stiffness, as well as enhance their overall quality of life.
6Aspartate aminotransferase reductionMeta-AnalysisCited 39×n=794 · large study2023
Regarding aspartate aminotransferase (AST), patients in the experimental group experienced a reduction in serum levels, though smaller in absolute values [AST MD = -4.65 IU/L, 95% CI (-7.44, -1.86) in studies conducted in Asian populations] and of lower precision in non-Asian studies [MD = -5.60 IU/L, 95% CI (-11.48, 0.28)].
Vogli S et al. · Nutrients (2023)
Noticeable benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Three electronic databases (MEDLINE, CENTRAL, and Embase) were reviewed for randomized trials that tested vitamin E supplementation versus placebo or no intervention in patients with NAFLD, published until April 2023.
A total of 794 patients from 12 randomized trials were included in this meta-analysis.
7Endometriosis related pelvic pain reductionMeta-AnalysisCited 40×n=589 · large study2023
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.
9PCOS biomarkersMeta-AnalysisCited 20×n=504 · large study2022
This meta-analysis examined the effects of Magnesium.
Heidari H et al. · Scientific reports (2022)
No significant effect was found on HDL-c, glycemic indices, hormonal profile, anthropometric measurements, and other biomarkers of inflammation or oxidative stress.
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.
10Placental abruption preventionMeta-AnalysisCited 104×n=19,023 · very large study2015
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 benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
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).
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.
Further research is required to elucidate the possible role of vitamin E in the prevention of placental abruption.
11Serum alkaline phosphatase reductionMeta-AnalysisCited 18×n=351 · medium study2024
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 →
Vitamin E may slightly reduce serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels (MD -5.21, 95% CI -9.88 to -0.54; 5 trials, 416 participants; very low certainty evidence), but the evidence is very uncertain.
We found no data on liver-related mortality, liver-related morbidity, or proportion of participants without a decrease in liver enzymes.
Vitamin E likely reduces ALT and AST slightly when compared with placebo, but whether this has any impact on the clinical course in people with NAFLD is unknown.
12Serum CRP levelsMeta-AnalysisCited 79×n=2,102 · very large study2020
Future high-quality RCTs should be conducted to translate this anti-inflammatory effect of vitamin E to the clinical setting.
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).
Considering different chemical forms of vitamin E, α-tocopherol, unlike other forms, had a reducing effect on serum levels of CRP and IL-6.
In conclusion, our findings revealed a beneficial effect of vitamin E supplementation, particularly in the form of α-tocopherol, on subclinical inflammation in adults.
Meta-analyses were conducted to compare vitamin E and placebo supplementations to obtain a 95% confidence interval (95%IC).
de Lima KS et al. · International journal of sports medicine (2024)
Meta-analyses were conducted to compare vitamin E and placebo supplementations to obtain a 95% confidence interval (95%IC).
Compared to placebo, vitamin E had no effects on lipid (95%IC= -0.09 to 0.42), protein (-2.44 to 3.11), SOD (-1.05 to 0.23), interleukin-6 (-0.18 to 1.16), creatine kinase (-0.33 to 0.27), muscle soreness (-1.92 to 0.69), and muscle strength (-1.07 to 0.34).
Heterogeneity for the analyses on carbonyls, interleukin-6 (1 h and 3 h), and muscle soreness ranged between 70 to 94%.
16Oxidative stress and inflammation biomarkersMeta-AnalysisCited 21×n=491 · medium study2021
Our results suggest that vitamin E supplementation may help alleviate oxidative stress and both vascular and systemic inflammation in patients receiving hemodialysis.
Nguyen TTU et al. · International journal of molecular sciences (2021)
We searched the MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases and identified randomized controlled trials of adult patients receiving hemodialysis until 30 August 2021.
A total of 11 trials with 491 randomized patients were included.
Our results suggest that vitamin E supplementation may help alleviate oxidative stress and both vascular and systemic inflammation in patients receiving hemodialysis.
18Total sperm countMeta-AnalysisCited 2×n=459 · medium study2022
Vitamin E could increase the total sperm count and reduce the volume of semen in male infertility patients, and long-term treatment could improve the forward motility rate of sperm.
Wang R et al. · Urology journal (2022)
Noticeable benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Likely real
The results showed that after vitamin E treatment, semen volume was reduced (95% CI: - 0.55 to - 0.06, SMD = - 0.30, p = 0.015), total sperm count was increased (95% CI: 0.02-0.45, SMD = 0.23, p = 0.035), and the differences were statistically significant.
There were no statistically significant differences in increasing sperm concentration (95% CI: -0.21-0.29, SMD = 0.04, p = 0.769), total sperm motility (95% CI: -0.01-0.42, SMD = 0.20, p = 0.061) or sperm forward motility rate (95% CI: -0.06-0.65, SMD = 0.29, p = 0.106).
Subgroup analysis showed that vitamin E treatment for six months could improve sperm forward motility (95% CI: 0.46-1.14, SMD = 0.80, p <0.001).
19Blood levels of vitamin E in malaria patientsMeta-AnalysisCited 5×n=23 · very small study2023
This study highlights the potential role of vitamin E in the pathogenesis of malaria and suggests that improved vitamin E status might be beneficial for improving disease outcomes.
Kotepui M et al. · Nutrients (2023)
Huge benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Likely real
The majority of the studies (80%) found that vitamin E levels were significantly lower in malaria patients than those who were not infected.
Overall, the results revealed a significant reduction in blood levels of vitamin E in malaria patients when compared with uninfected individuals (p < 0.01, Cohen's d: -2.74, 95% CI: -3.72-(-1.76), I2: 98.69%, 21 studies).
In summary, the present study strongly suggests that vitamin E levels are significantly reduced in malaria patients, with a more pronounced decrease observed in cases of severe malaria.
20Serum vitamin E levelsMeta-AnalysisCited 17×n=141 · medium study2020
Vitamin E supplementation may lead to an improvement in vitamin E levels in people with cystic fibrosis, although evidence we assessed was low quality.
Okebukola PO et al. · The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2020)
Noticeable benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Water-soluble vitamin E Water-soluble vitamin E may improve serum vitamin E levels compared with control at six months, one study (45 participants), mean difference (MD) 19.74 umol/L (95% confidence interval (CI) 13.48 to 26.00) (low-quality evidence).
Similar results were also seen at one month, two studies (32 participants), MD 17.66 umol/L (95% CI 10.59 to 24.74) and at three months, one study (45 participants), MD 11.61 umol/L (95% CI 4.77 to 18.45).
Vitamin E supplementation may lead to an improvement in vitamin E levels in people with cystic fibrosis, although evidence we assessed was low quality.