Vitamin E is a fat-soluble antioxidant that protects body tissues from damage. It is found in plant oils and green vegetables and may help slow the destruction of biological membranes. Vitamin E deficiency in humans can result in anemia, prolonged fat malabsorption, and ataxia.
What are the Benefits of Vitamin E for Aging Horses?
While the provided search results do not directly address the benefits of Vitamin E for aging horses, Vitamin E is an antioxidant that helps protect tissues in the body from oxidation.
What is Vitamin E?
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble compound present in plant oils and green vegetables. It was discovered in 1922, isolated in 1936, and chemically identified in 1938. Tocopherols and tocotrienols are similar compounds with vitamin E activity.
How Does Vitamin E Function?
Vitamin E functions as an antioxidant, preventing oxidation in body tissues. It protects unsaturated fats from oxidation by peroxides and free radicals. Vitamin E is also used commercially to prevent fats, especially vegetable oils, from becoming rancid.
What Happens if You Have a Vitamin E Deficiency?
Humans deficient in vitamin E may experience mild anemia. Chronic deficiency can cause fat malabsorption, ataxia, and retinal pigment changes. These symptoms improve with vitamin E treatment. Vitamin E deficiency symptoms vary among animal species. For example, vitamin E-deficient female rats cannot produce healthy offspring, while rabbits and guinea pigs experience muscle wasting.
Would you like to learn more about antioxidants?