THE COMMON VITAMINS & HOW THEY CAN HELP: VITAMIN E (TOCOPHEROL) & VITAMIN K
Vitamin E (Tocopherol)
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin which is essential for normal cell structure and the formation of red blood cells. It also protects the lungs and other tissues from damage by pollutants and helps prevent red blood cells from being damaged by poisons in the blood.
A deficiency of vitamin E may lead to the destruction of red blood cells, which ultimately results in anemia.
The primary dietary sources of vitamin E are vegetable oils, eggs, fish, green, leafy vegetables, cereals, wheat germ, meat, and dried beans. The recommended daily allowance is 8 to 10 mg.
This is a fat-soluble vitamin which is essential for normal blood clotting.
A deficiency of vitamin K reduces the ability of the blood to clot. This condition may cause nosebleeds, bleeding from the gums, intestines, and urinary tract, and seeping of blood from wounds.
The main dietary sources of vitamin K include green, leafy vegetables, vegetable oils, pork, liver, egg yolk, cheese, potatoes, fruits, and grain products. Vitamin K is also manufactured by bacteria which normally live in the intestine. Newborn infants lack such intestinal bacteria and are therefore given vitamin K supplements to prevent deficiency. The recommended daily allowance for adults is 60 to 80 mcg.
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