Vitamin d & e
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The Impact of Vitamin D and E Supplementation: A Comprehensive Review
Introduction to Vitamin D and E Benefits
Vitamins D and E are essential nutrients that play significant roles in various physiological processes. Recent research has explored their combined effects on different health conditions, including muscle preservation, skin health, insulin resistance, cardiovascular health, and more. This article synthesizes findings from multiple studies to provide a comprehensive overview of the benefits of vitamins D and E.
Muscle Mass and Strength in Older Adults
Sarcopenia and Nutritional Supplementation
Sarcopenia, characterized by the age-related decline in muscle mass and strength, poses a significant risk for falls and reduced quality of life in older adults. A study demonstrated that a nutritional supplement containing whey protein, vitamin D, and vitamin E significantly improved muscle mass, strength, and quality of life in sarcopenic older adults over six months1. The supplementation led to notable improvements in the relative skeletal mass index (RSMI), handgrip strength, and mental and physical health components of the SF-36 survey1.
Skin Health and Atopic Dermatitis
Vitamins D and E in Dermatological Conditions
Atopic dermatitis, a chronic inflammatory skin condition, can be alleviated with vitamins D and E supplementation. A randomized controlled trial found that supplementation with these vitamins significantly reduced the severity of atopic dermatitis, as measured by the SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) index2. The combination of vitamins D and E showed the most substantial improvement, reducing SCORAD by 64.3%2.
Insulin Resistance and Alzheimer's Disease
Enhancing Insulin Signaling
In insulin-resistant neuronal cells, vitamins D and E have been shown to stimulate the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway, which is crucial for insulin signaling and glucose uptake. This effect is particularly beneficial in the context of Alzheimer's disease (AD), where improved insulin signaling can help mitigate disease progression. Vitamin D alone significantly increased the expression of insulin receptors and glucose transporters, while vitamin E reduced oxidative stress markers3. The combination of both vitamins enhanced glucose uptake and reduced AD markers such as GSK3β and TAU3.
Cardiovascular Health and Atherosclerosis
Anti-Atherosclerotic Effects
Atherosclerosis, a condition characterized by the buildup of plaques in the arteries, can be influenced by vitamin D and E levels. While vitamin E alone has shown mixed results in cardiovascular disease prevention, its combination with vitamin D and other antioxidants like vitamin C and tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) may be more effective in preventing atherogenesis and plaque development4. Deficiencies in these vitamins can disrupt microRNA networks, contributing to the progression of atherosclerosis4.
Meat Quality and Antioxidative Capacity
Dietary Supplementation in Livestock
Supplementing livestock diets with vitamins D and E can enhance meat quality and antioxidative capacity. In pigs, vitamin D3 increased plasma calcium concentration, while vitamin E improved the concentration of α-tocopherol in the meat, enhancing its antioxidative properties5. Similarly, in beef cattle, the combination of 25-hydroxy-vitamin D3 and increased vitamin E improved carcass weight and antioxidative capacity8.
Dysmenorrhea Management
Reducing Menstrual Pain
Vitamin D and E supplementation has also been effective in managing dysmenorrhea, a condition characterized by painful menstrual cramps. A study found that both vitamins, alone and in combination, significantly reduced the intensity and duration of menstrual pain compared to a placebo6. The combination of vitamins D and E provided the most substantial relief, suggesting their potential as a safe and effective treatment for dysmenorrhea6.
Safety of Vitamin E Supplementation
Long-Term Health Effects
The safety of long-term vitamin E supplementation has been assessed in healthy older adults. A study found that supplementation with varying doses of vitamin E (60, 200, or 800 IU/day) over four months did not adversely affect general health, liver enzyme function, thyroid hormone levels, or immune function7. These findings support the safety of vitamin E supplementation within the studied dosage range7.
Conclusion
The combined supplementation of vitamins D and E offers numerous health benefits, including improved muscle mass and strength in older adults, reduced severity of atopic dermatitis, enhanced insulin signaling in neuronal cells, and potential cardiovascular benefits. Additionally, these vitamins can improve meat quality in livestock and alleviate menstrual pain in women. The safety of vitamin E supplementation has also been confirmed in healthy older adults. These findings highlight the importance of vitamins D and E in maintaining overall health and managing various conditions.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
A high whey protein, vitamin D and E supplement preserves muscle mass, strength, and quality of life in sarcopenic older adults: A double-blind randomized controlled trial.
Whey protein, vitamin D, and E supplementation significantly improves muscle mass, strength, and quality of life in older adults with sarcopenia.
RCT
Very Rigorous Journal
Highly CitedRandomized controlled trial using vitamins E and D supplementation in atopic dermatitis
Vitamins D and E supplementation significantly improves clinical symptoms and reduces itching in atopic dermatitis patients.
RCTHighly CitedVitamins D and E Stimulate the PI3K-AKT Signalling Pathway in Insulin-Resistant SK-N-SH Neuronal Cells
Vitamin D and E, alone or combined, can improve insulin sensitivity in insulin-resistant neuronal cells, potentially restoring neuronal sensitivity and delaying Alzheimer's disease progression.
In Vitro StudyVery Rigorous JournalAnti‐Atherosclerotic Effects of Vitamins D and E in Suppression of Atherogenesis
Combined consumption of gamma-tocopherol, vitamin C, D, and tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) may effectively prevent atherogenesis and suppress plaque development, potentially reducing atherosclerosis progression.
Rigorous JournalHighly CitedEffects of dietary supplementation of vitamins D(3) and E on quality characteristics of pigs and longissimus muscle antioxidative capacity.
Dietary supplementation of vitamins D(3) and E in pig diets improves meat quality and antioxidative capacity without affecting other meat quality characteristics or tenderness.
RCTA comparison of the effect of Vitamin D and Vitamin E supplementations, alone, and in combination, on reducing the intensity and duration of dysmenorrhea in women: A randomized controlled trial
Vitamin E and Vitamin D supplements, alone or combined, effectively reduce the intensity and duration of dysmenorrhea in women.
RCTAssessment of the safety of supplementation with different amounts of vitamin E in healthy older adults.
Four months of supplementation with 60-800 IU vitamin E/d had no adverse effects in healthy elderly individuals.
RCTHighly CitedPSXIV-11 Supplementation of 25-hydroxy-vitamin-D3 and increased vitamin E as a strategy to increase carcass weight of feedlot beef cattle
Feeding feedlot cattle with HyD and increased vitamin E increases carcass weight and average daily gain, but not body weight or dressing percentage.
RCTRigorous JournalIncreased dietary vitamin D3 and calcium partially alleviate heat stress symptoms and inflammation in lactating Holstein cows independent of dietary concentrations of vitamin E and selenium.
Increased dietary vitamin D3 and calcium partially alleviate heat stress symptoms and inflammation in lactating Holstein cows, regardless of dietary concentrations of vitamin E and selenium.
RCTUse of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 and vitamin E to improve tenderness of beef from the longissimus dorsi of heifers.
A single bolus of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 or daily vitamin E alone, but not combined, can improve the tenderness of beef from heifers' longissimus dorsi.
RCT