What disorder is vitamin E used for? A Medical Guide

December 18, 2025 •

4 min read

Vitamin E deficiency is rare in healthy individuals, but can lead to serious neurological damage when it occurs due to genetic or malabsorption disorders. So, what disorder is vitamin E used for? The most notable examples include a specific hereditary ataxia and conditions that prevent the body from properly absorbing fats from food.

Quick Summary

Vitamin E is used to treat genetic disorders like Ataxia with Vitamin E Deficiency and manage conditions such as cystic fibrosis and chronic liver disease that cause malabsorption. High-dose supplementation is critical to prevent progressive neurological and muscular damage in these cases.

Key Points

Genetic Disorder (AVED): High-dose vitamin E is a crucial, lifelong treatment for Ataxia with Vitamin E Deficiency, a genetic disorder affecting vitamin E transport.
Malabsorption Disorders: Vitamin E corrects deficiencies caused by fat malabsorption diseases such as cystic fibrosis, chronic pancreatitis, and certain liver conditions.
Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD): Some adults with NAFLD (who do not have diabetes) may benefit from vitamin E supplementation, though results are mixed and more research is needed.
Inconclusive for Chronic Disease Prevention: The evidence does not support using vitamin E supplements to prevent cardiovascular disease, cancer, or cognitive decline in the general population.
Risks of High Doses: Excessive vitamin E supplementation can increase the risk of bleeding and, in some studies, prostate cancer.

Genetic Disorders Treated with Vitamin E

Ataxia with Vitamin E Deficiency (AVED)

Ataxia with Vitamin E Deficiency (AVED) is a rare, progressive, neurodegenerative disorder caused by mutations in the $TTPA$ gene. This gene provides instructions for a protein that transports vitamin E from the liver to other tissues. Individuals with AVED cannot properly retain and distribute vitamin E, resulting in low levels despite normal dietary intake. This leads to neurological symptoms typically starting in childhood or adolescence, including:

Progressive ataxia (incoordination).
Dysarthria (slurred speech).
Peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage in extremities).
Areflexia (absent reflexes).
Proprioceptive loss (loss of body position sense).
Eye problems. Lifelong, high-dose oral vitamin E supplementation is the treatment for AVED. Early treatment can prevent or halt disease progression and may reverse some neurological deficits.

Abetalipoproteinemia (Bassen-Kornzweig Disease)

This rare genetic disorder causes severe fat malabsorption and profound deficiencies in fat-soluble vitamins, including vitamin E. High-dose oral vitamin E is used to manage the deficiency and prevent neurological complications.

Chronic Conditions Leading to Fat Malabsorption

Vitamin E absorption requires a healthy digestive system and dietary fat. Chronic diseases affecting fat digestion and absorption can cause secondary vitamin E deficiency, which is then treated with supplementation.

Conditions include:

Cystic Fibrosis (CF): Pancreatic insufficiency in CF impairs fat absorption, making vitamin E supplementation a standard treatment.
Cholestatic Liver Disease: Impaired bile flow hinders fat absorption, potentially leading to vitamin E deficiency and neurological issues.
Crohn's Disease and Other Intestinal Disorders: Chronic intestinal inflammation can interfere with fat and vitamin E absorption.
Pancreatitis or Pancreatectomy: These conditions can impair the production of digestive enzymes needed for fat-soluble vitamin absorption.

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)

Vitamin E is being investigated as an add-on therapy for Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) due to its potential to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation. However, research results are mixed. Some studies suggest high-dose vitamin E (e.g., 800 IU/day) may benefit adults with NAFLD who do not have type 2 diabetes. Experts caution against its use in patients with cirrhosis and those with type 2 diabetes due to potential risks and lack of proven efficacy. High-dose vitamin E has also been linked to increased prostate cancer risk in some studies.

Comparison of Conditions and Vitamin E Use


Feature	Ataxia with Vitamin E Deficiency (AVED)	Cystic Fibrosis (CF)	Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)
Cause of Deficiency	Genetic mutation in the $TTPA$ gene, impairing vitamin E transport.	Pancreatic insufficiency leading to fat malabsorption.	Associated with oxidative stress and inflammation, not primarily deficiency-driven.
Primary Goal of Therapy	Lifelong high-dose supplementation to compensate for impaired transport and prevent neurodegeneration.	Oral supplementation to correct fat-soluble vitamin malabsorption.	Adjuvant therapy to reduce liver inflammation and oxidative stress, especially in adults without diabetes.
Effectiveness	Highly effective at preventing or halting disease progression, especially if treated early.	Effective at restoring serum vitamin E levels and preventing deficiency symptoms.	Mixed results, with potential benefits in specific, non-diabetic adult populations.
Dosage	High-dose oral supplementation is required.	Standard dose often recommended for pancreatic-insufficient individuals.	High doses (e.g., 800 IU/day) used in trials for specific populations.

Other Investigational and Unproven Uses

Vitamin E has been studied for various other conditions, but evidence is often inconclusive. Research on its ability to slow cognitive decline in moderate Alzheimer's has yielded inconsistent results, and it's not recommended for prevention. A specific supplement including vitamin E was found to slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in high-risk individuals in one large study (AREDS), but its use for prevention in the general population is less certain. Despite being an antioxidant, large trials haven't shown that vitamin E supplements prevent cardiovascular disease or cancer. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force advises against its use for these purposes. While vitamin E deficiency was linked to infertility in animal studies, its role in human fertility is not fully established unless a deficiency exists due to an underlying disorder.

The Risks of High-Dose Vitamin E Supplementation

High doses of vitamin E supplements carry risks, particularly for healthy individuals. They can increase bleeding risk by interfering with blood clotting, especially when combined with blood thinners. Some studies suggest an increased risk of prostate cancer in men taking high-dose supplements. Certain meta-analyses have also indicated a slightly increased risk of all-cause mortality with long-term, high-dose use. Therefore, most healthcare providers recommend obtaining vitamin E from a healthy diet unless a specific medical condition requires supplementation.

Conclusion

Vitamin E is a potent antioxidant that serves a vital therapeutic purpose in specific disorders, although deficiency is uncommon in healthy individuals. High-dose vitamin E is an effective treatment for the genetic disorder Ataxia with Vitamin E Deficiency (AVED) and is crucial for managing deficiencies caused by fat malabsorption conditions like Cystic Fibrosis and chronic liver disease. It is also explored as an adjuvant therapy for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in certain adult populations without diabetes. However, evidence does not support high-dose vitamin E for preventing chronic diseases like cancer or heart disease, and such use may pose significant risks. Always consult a healthcare professional to determine if supplementation is appropriate for your needs.

For more information on Ataxia with Vitamin E Deficiency, visit the NIH GeneReviews page at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1241/.

Frequently Asked Questions

AVED is a rare genetic disorder caused by a mutation in the $TTPA$ gene that prevents the body from effectively transporting and retaining vitamin E. The resulting deficiency leads to progressive neurological problems, including ataxia, or loss of coordination.

A large majority of people with cystic fibrosis (CF) have pancreatic insufficiency, meaning they cannot produce enough digestive enzymes to properly absorb fat-soluble vitamins, including vitamin E. Supplementation is necessary to prevent neurological issues associated with deficiency.

Vitamin E is sometimes used as an adjuvant therapy for NAFLD, particularly in adults who do not have type 2 diabetes, based on some studies showing improved liver enzyme levels. However, its use is not universally recommended, and it is not advised for those with cirrhosis or diabetes.

No. While some studies have explored its potential to slow cognitive decline in existing Alzheimer's patients, research on preventing the disease in the general population is inconclusive and does not support this use.

High doses can interfere with blood clotting, increasing the risk of bleeding. Some studies have also linked high-dose supplementation to an increased risk of prostate cancer in men.

Symptoms primarily affect the nervous system and can include muscle weakness, loss of coordination (ataxia), numbness and tingling (peripheral neuropathy), and vision problems. Diagnosis is confirmed via a blood test measuring serum vitamin E levels.

While vitamin E is important for immune function, research has not definitively shown that supplements prevent infections in healthy individuals. A balanced diet typically provides sufficient amounts for the average person.