Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin E
For the health condition: Autoimmune Disorders

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Vitamin E has been investigated for its potential role in supporting or treating autoimmune disorders due to its antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties. Scientific interest arises from the observation that oxidative stress and immune dysregulation are key features of many autoimmune conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and multiple sclerosis. Vitamin E, as a fat-soluble antioxidant, can neutralize free radicals and reduce oxidative tissue damage, which is hypothesized to modulate immune function and inflammation.

Several animal studies and small clinical trials have suggested that vitamin E supplementation may help reduce markers of inflammation and oxidative stress in certain autoimmune diseases. For example, some studies in patients with rheumatoid arthritis have reported modest improvements in disease symptoms and reductions in inflammatory cytokines with vitamin E supplementation. However, these effects tend to be mild, and larger, well-controlled clinical trials have not consistently shown significant or clinically meaningful benefits. Most current evidence suggests that while vitamin E may exert some immunoregulatory effects, its impact as a standalone therapy is limited.

Clinical guidelines do not currently recommend vitamin E supplementation specifically for autoimmune disease management, except in cases of documented deficiency. The quality of evidence is low to moderate, and vitamin E is generally considered an adjunctive, rather than primary, therapy. Thus, while there is a scientific basis for research, the evidence supporting the routine use of vitamin E for autoimmune disorders remains limited.

More about vitamin E
More about Autoimmune Disorders