[Trend of vitamin E].

The term vitamin E covers several related tocopherols and tocotrienols (alpha-, beta-, gamma-, delta-tocopherols and tocotrienols), which have been isolated from natural sources, but the most active of these is the alpha-form, Fig. 1). Vitamin E is an essential nutrient for higher animals including man. A daily recommended level of this vitamin has been established in 1989, and been revised in 1999. In man, a limited number of deficiency symptoms (Cerebella ataxia, Muscular weakness et. al.) have been noted in adults but only after prolonged impairment of fat absorption and genetic defects. The beneficial effects of this vitamin intake are reported by many studies.