US Pharm. 2013;38(5):42.

Corvallis, OR—A new review has found that there are biological mechanisms for routine elimination of excess vitamin E that render it nearly impossible to take a harmful amount, whether in the diet or through supplementation. According to Maret Traber, PhD, of the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University, it is impossible for toxic levels of vitamin E to accumulate in the liver or other tissues. Two major systems in the liver routinely excrete excessive amounts of vitamin E, and the very high intakes achieved with supplementation merely double tissue levels, which is not harmful. A more important issue, says Dr. Traber, is that more than 90% of people in the United States have inadequate vitamin E in their diet.

To comment on this article, contact rdavidson@uspharmacist.com.