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Vitamina E - Overview

Nombres alternativos

Alfa-tocoferol; Gamma-tocoferol

Definición:

Es una vitamina liposoluble.

Funciones:

La vitamina E es un antioxidante que protege el tejido corporal del daño causado por sustancias llamadas radicales libres. Estos radicales pueden dañar células, tejidos y órganos, y se cree que juegan un papel en ciertas afecciones relacionadas con el envejecimiento.

El cuerpo también necesita vitamina E para ayudar a mantener el sistema inmunitario fuerte frente a virus y bacterias.

La vitamina E también es importante en la formación de glóbulos rojos y ayuda al cuerpo a utilizar la vitamina K. También ayuda a dilatar los vasos sanguíneos y a impedir que la sangre se coagule dentro de ellos.

Las células usan la vitamina E para interactuar entre sí y llevar a cabo muchas funciones importantes.

Aún no se sabe si la vitamina E puede prevenir el cáncer, la cardiopatía, la demencia, la enfermedad hepática y el accidente cerebrovascular.

  • Reviewed last on: 2/8/2011
  • Alison Evert, MS, RD, CDE, Nutritionist, University of Washington Medical Center Diabetes Care Center, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

Referencias

Escott-Stump S, ed. Nutrition and Diagnosis-Related Care. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2008.

Sarubin Fragaakis A, Thomson C. The Health Professional's Guide to Popular Dietary Supplements. 3rd ed. Chicago, IL: American Dietetic Association; 2007.

Institute of Medicine, Food and Nutrition Board. Dietary Reference Intake: Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Selenium, and Carotenoids. National Academy Press, Washington, DC, 2000.

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