Tocopherol (vitamin E)

Tocopherol (vitamin E) Tocopherols are found in green parts of plants and some products of animal origin. The best vegetable sources of tocopherols are green beans, green peas, cabbage lettuce and cabbage, greens of spinach, onion, parsley, young sprouts of cereals, oats, wheat, corn ( sprouts of cereals and maize ) containing 15-30 mg% of vitamin E Large quantities of tocopherol are found in vegetable oils - corn, soybean, sunflower, cottonseed, peanut, linseed, sea buckthorn, dog-rose - up to 520 mg%. The greatest amount of tocopherols is in oils of wheat germ, corn and sea buckthorn. A little vitamin E is also found in meat, fat, eggs, milk.

A high percentage of tocopherols was noted in the fruits of cloudberry, sea buckthorn (13-18 mg%), hawthorn (4-6 mg%), dogrose - in flesh (3,3-8,8 mg%), almonds (4,2-7, 3 mg%) and hazelnut - nuts (5,7-6,6 mg%). According to the chemical structure, tocopherols are chroman derivatives, based on tocol. There are 7 tocopherols, differing in number of methyl groups, the main of them - a-, P-, y-to-coffee. A-Tocopherol is in sunflower oil. The main depot of vitamin E in the body is fatty tissue.

The human body can not synthesize tocopherol, but is able to accumulate it, a-, B-, y-Tocopherols are anti-sterile fat-soluble vitamins, which by chemical nature represent a high-molecular alcohol resistant to high temperatures, oxidized during storage of products. B- and y-Tocopherols are active antioxidant agents (antioxidants), they protect against oxidation various substances, take part in oxidation-reduction reactions, inhibit the exchange of proteins, nucleic acids and steroids.

The biological antioxidant activity of a-tocopherol depends on the location and the number of methyl groups in the molecule. Highly antioxidant B- and y-tocopherols are found in corn, cottonseed, soybean and other vegetable oils, except sunflower. A-Tocopherol regulates the normal development and function of the epithelium of the gonads, plays an important role in lipid metabolism, participates in the synthesis of the chromatin molecule in the cell nuclei, and affects the metabolic processes.

The daily need for a healthy person in tocopherol is about 30 mg. Synthetic preparation of vitamin E - tocopherol acetate has the form of a transparent light yellow viscous oily liquid with a weak odor, darkening and oxidizing in the light. Vitamin E plays a multifaceted role in the body. To tocopherol is absorbed into the blood from food products, bile should be present in the intestine. In the oxidative decomposition of fats in the body, substances with a strong toxic effect on the embryo are formed, causing a delay in the development of the fetus and even its resorption. Tocopherol inhibits increased disintegration of fats. All tocopherols are stimulators of reproduction, participate in carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism, improve the assimilation and activity of vitamin A, prevent its destruction, have a positive effect on the muscular system, stimulate nutrition and blood supply of striated muscle tissue, heart and uterus muscles, inhibit the development of degenerative and dystrophic Changes in them, violation of metabolic processes.

Vitamin E takes part in the regulation of spermatogenesis and the development of the embryo, plays a big role in pregnancy in the process of formation of the sex cells and intrauterine growth of the fetus. With a deficiency of tocopherol, metabolic disturbances and associated severe lesions of various organs and systems may occur.

The lack of this vitamin in human food can be the cause of infertility and miscarriages, and the animals are deprived of the ability to reproduce. Degenerative changes occur in nerve cells, skeletal muscles and heart muscle, damage to the liver parenchyma, permeability and fragility of the capillaries increase, the epithelium of the seminiferous tubules and testicles degenerate, muscles are paralyzed, especially of the lower extremities, gross disturbances in metabolic processes in muscle tissue and pathological changes in sexual Glands.

Tocopherols (vitamin E) are substances of prime importance. As a remedy, vitamin E is used for metabolic disorders and the functions of the pituitary gland, liver, endocrine, neuromuscular systems, muscular dystrophy, muscle paralysis, especially lower extremities, inflammatory and degenerative changes in the retina, atherosclerosis, hypertension, peripheral vascular diseases with inflammatory Changes in the arteries, veins ( acute and chronic - thrombosis, thrombophlebitis ), some skin lesions - scleroderma, lupus erythematosus, psoriasis, dermatitis, erythematosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, long trophic ulcers, burns, bedwetting, menstrual irregularities in menopause Period, the threat of miscarriages and premature birth, prostate adenoma, infertility in women and men, oligo- and asthenospermia, myopathy.

In pediatrics, tocopherol is used in scleroderma, hypotrophy, in dentistry - with chronic gingivitis . Assign vitamin E inside, outwardly and intramuscularly, release it in drops, pills, capsules, ointments and preparations for intramuscular injection - 5-10 - 30% solution of synthetic a-tocopherol acetate ( for violations of absorption and metabolism), vitamin concentrate E is used inside and locally (Aevit) for intramuscular injection with obliterating endarteritis. Preparations of tocopherol should be used with caution in patients with myocardial infarction, severe atherosclerosis. The use of large doses of vitamin E adversely affects the function of the sexual and nervous systems.

Aevit is contraindicated in thyrotoxicosis, cholecystitis, circulatory insufficiency of the third stage. Adding vitamin E to fats protects them from rancidity. Preparations of this vitamin are stored in well-ukuporennoy dishes in a cool dry, protected from light ( especially from ultraviolet rays ) place.