Shahidi F, Pinaffi-Langley ACC, Fuentes J, Speisky H, de Camargo AC. Vitamin E as an essential micronutrient for human health: Common, novel, and unexplored dietary sources.
Free Radic Biol Med 2021;
176:312-321. [PMID:
34610363 DOI:
10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2021.09.025]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2021] [Revised: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Vitamin E comprises a group of vitamers that includes tocopherols and tocotrienols. They occur in four homologues according to the number and position of methyl groups attached to the chromanol ring. Vitamin E, a liposoluble antioxidant, may participate as an adjuvant in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular, neurological, and aging-related diseases. Furthermore, vitamin E has applications in the food industry as a natural additive. In this contribution, the most recent information on the dietary sources of vitamin E, including common, novel, and unexplored sources, is presented. Common edible oils, such as those of corn, olive, palm, rice bran, and peanut, represent the most prominent sources of vitamin E. However, specialty and underutilized oils such as those obtained from tree nuts, fruit seeds, and by-products, emerge as novel sources of this important micronutrient. Complementary studies should examine the tocotrienol content of vitamin E dietary sources to better understand the different biological functions of these vitamers.
Collapse