Is It Safe to Take Vitamin E Daily? Understanding the Risks and Benefits

November 27, 2025 •

4 min read

A notable meta-analysis examining multiple clinical trials found a higher mortality rate in trials where patients took more than 400 IU of vitamin E supplements daily. This concerning finding brings a critical spotlight to the common practice of taking vitamin E daily and questions the safety and necessity of high-dose supplementation.

Quick Summary

Daily vitamin E supplements are often unnecessary for most healthy individuals who get enough from their diet. High-dose capsules carry significant health risks, including bleeding complications.

Key Points

RDA is Low: The recommended daily allowance (RDA) of vitamin E for adults is only 15 mg, a level easily obtained from a balanced diet.
High-Dose Risks: Consistently taking high-dose supplements (400 IU/180 mg+) can increase the risk of bleeding and hemorrhagic stroke.
Cancer Link: Some studies, like the SELECT trial, have linked high-dose synthetic vitamin E supplements to an increased risk of prostate cancer in men.
Drug Interactions: High levels of vitamin E can interact negatively with blood thinners, statins, and chemotherapy treatments.
Food First: The safest and most effective way to meet your vitamin E needs is by consuming a diet rich in nuts, seeds, vegetable oils, and leafy greens.

The Difference: Food-Based Vitamin E vs. High-Dose Supplements

For most healthy adults, getting vitamin E from a balanced diet is the safest and most effective approach. Vitamin E naturally occurs in many foods and is rarely harmful in these forms. In contrast, vitamin E supplements often contain much higher doses than the body needs, typically ranging from 400 to 1,000 IU, compared to the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of 15 mg (about 22 IU) for adults. This large disparity is where the risk factor emerges, as the body stores fat-soluble vitamins, potentially leading to toxic levels over time.

Why High-Dose Supplements are Unnecessary for Most

Rarity of Deficiency: True vitamin E deficiency is extremely rare in healthy individuals and is almost always linked to diseases that cause fat malabsorption, like Crohn's disease or cystic fibrosis.
Dietary Sources: Nuts, seeds, vegetable oils, and leafy green vegetables are excellent and plentiful sources of vitamin E. A handful of almonds or a tablespoon of sunflower oil can easily cover the daily requirements. Taking a supplement on top of this can lead to excessive intake.

Understanding the Potential Risks of High-Dose Vitamin E

While moderate intake from food is safe, consistently taking high-dose vitamin E supplements has been linked to several serious health risks in various studies. It's crucial to understand these potential dangers before starting or continuing a supplementation regimen.

Increased Risk of Bleeding

High doses of vitamin E can act as a blood thinner, inhibiting platelet aggregation and interfering with vitamin K-dependent clotting factors. This can increase the risk of bleeding, especially for individuals already taking anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications such as warfarin. The risk of a serious bleeding event, including a hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding in the brain), increases with high supplemental intake.

Cancer Concerns, Particularly Prostate Cancer

Research on vitamin E's role in cancer prevention has yielded mixed and, in some cases, worrisome results. The SELECT trial, which studied men taking 400 IU of synthetic vitamin E daily, was halted early after finding that the supplement did not prevent prostate cancer. A later follow-up from the same study showed that the men who took the vitamin E had a statistically significant increased risk of prostate cancer. While other studies have shown different outcomes, this risk, especially at high doses, warrants caution.

Interaction with Other Medications

Vitamin E can interfere with the effectiveness of other medications. This includes:

Blood Thinners: As mentioned, it can heighten the risk of bleeding.
Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs: Some studies suggest that vitamin E, particularly when combined with other antioxidants, can blunt the heart-protective effects of certain statins and niacin.
Chemotherapy and Radiation: Antioxidant supplements may alter the effectiveness of cancer treatments. Patients undergoing these therapies should consult their oncologist before taking vitamin E.

Who Should Be Cautious with Vitamin E Supplements?

While some believe supplements are a cure-all, they are not for everyone. The following groups, in particular, should be cautious and always consult a healthcare provider before use:

Individuals on blood-thinning medication
Patients with a history of heart disease, stroke, or bleeding disorders
Men concerned about prostate cancer risk
Those undergoing cancer treatment
Anyone consuming a diet already rich in vitamin E

Comparison of Vitamin E Sources


Feature	Food-Based Vitamin E	High-Dose Supplements
Source	Natural, found in vegetable oils, nuts, seeds, greens.	Isolated, synthetic (dl-alpha-tocopherol) or natural (d-alpha-tocopherol) forms.
Dosage	Aligned with daily needs (RDA is 15 mg for adults).	Far exceeds daily needs, often 400-1000 IU (180-450 mg) or more.
Safety	Generally safe with no known toxicity.	High risk of toxicity and serious side effects, especially long-term.
Nutrient Synergy	Comes with other beneficial nutrients like fiber, minerals, and other vitamins.	Lacks the nutritional synergy of whole foods; provides isolated nutrients.
Primary Use	To meet daily nutritional requirements naturally.	For specific medical conditions under a doctor's supervision.
Drug Interaction	Minimal risk of drug interaction.	High risk of interacting with medications.

Conclusion: Prioritizing a Healthy Diet

Taking high-dose vitamin E supplements daily is not necessary for most healthy people and may pose significant health risks, including increased bleeding and certain cancers. The vast majority of individuals get sufficient vitamin E from their diet, and natural food sources do not carry the same risks as concentrated supplements. For those considering a supplement, it's essential to first discuss the potential need and appropriate dosage with a healthcare professional to ensure it is safe and necessary for your specific health profile. A balanced diet rich in nuts, seeds, and leafy greens remains the superior and safer way to maintain adequate vitamin E levels.

Visit the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements for more information on vitamin E and other vitamins and minerals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, it is generally considered very safe to get your daily vitamin E from food. There is no evidence of toxic effects from the amount of vitamin E found naturally in a balanced diet.

High doses are typically defined as supplemental intakes of 400 IU (180 mg) or more per day, which significantly exceeds the RDA of 15 mg.

Yes, high-dose vitamin E supplements can increase the risk of bleeding, especially for those on blood-thinning medications like warfarin, by interfering with blood clotting.

Individuals taking blood thinners, those with a history of stroke or heart disease, men concerned about prostate cancer, and patients undergoing cancer treatment should typically avoid high-dose vitamin E supplements unless advised by a doctor.

No. The American Heart Association and numerous clinical trials have concluded that the scientific evidence does not support using vitamin E supplements to reduce the risk of heart disease or cancer.

Excellent food sources include sunflower seeds, almonds, wheat germ oil, sunflower oil, spinach, and broccoli.

Most multivitamins contain only a small, safe amount of vitamin E. However, it's wise to check the label and consult a healthcare professional to ensure total intake from all sources doesn't exceed safe limits.