What Happens If the Body Doesn't Get Enough Vitamin E?

December 12, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the Cleveland Clinic, a vitamin E deficiency is uncommon in healthy individuals, but when it does occur, it can lead to serious health complications. The body relies on this fat-soluble antioxidant to protect cells, and a deficiency can result in a cascade of issues affecting the nervous system, eyes, and immune function.

Quick Summary

A lack of vitamin E can impair nerve function, lead to muscle weakness, and cause vision problems. It can also weaken the immune system and increase oxidative stress, but this deficiency is rare in healthy adults. Certain fat malabsorption disorders are the primary cause. Symptoms include poor coordination, tingling, and weakened immunity.

Key Points

Neurological Damage: A vitamin E deficiency can cause nerve fiber damage, leading to symptoms like muscle weakness, poor coordination (ataxia), numbness, and tingling.
Vision Problems: A long-term deficiency can damage the eye's retina and other cells, potentially leading to retinopathy or even blindness.
Weakened Immunity: Insufficient vitamin E can impair immune cell function, which may increase susceptibility to infections, especially in older adults.
Rare in Healthy Adults: Severe deficiency is uncommon in individuals without underlying health conditions because the body stores large amounts in fat tissue.
Most Common Cause is Malabsorption: The primary cause of deficiency is not a poor diet but rather an inability to absorb fat, often due to chronic diseases like cystic fibrosis or Crohn's disease.
Impacts Infants: Premature, low-birth-weight infants are at a higher risk and may develop a serious blood disorder called hemolytic anemia.
Dietary Prevention: For most people, a diet rich in nuts, seeds, and vegetable oils is enough to prevent a deficiency.

The Essential Role of Vitamin E

Vitamin E is a powerful, fat-soluble antioxidant crucial for protecting the body's cells from damage caused by free radicals. This cell protection is vital for maintaining overall health, impacting everything from your central nervous system to your immune response. Without adequate levels, this protective mechanism falters, leading to a host of symptoms and potential health problems. Since it is a fat-soluble vitamin, your body requires dietary fat for proper absorption and storage, primarily within the liver and fatty tissues. While severe deficiency is rare in the general population, it can occur due to underlying conditions that disrupt normal fat absorption.

Symptoms of a Vitamin E Deficiency

Recognizing the signs of insufficient vitamin E is important, though symptoms can be subtle and develop over time. The most significant effects manifest in the neuromuscular system, which relies on vitamin E to protect nerve fibers from oxidative stress.

Muscle Weakness (Myopathy): The breakdown of nerve fibers can lead to reduced muscle function, resulting in general weakness and fatigue.
Loss of Coordination (Ataxia): Deficiency can cause the degeneration of specific neurons, impacting the transmission of nerve signals and leading to difficulty walking and maintaining balance.
Numbness and Tingling (Peripheral Neuropathy): Damaged nerve fibers lose their ability to transmit signals correctly, causing sensations of tingling and numbness in the hands and feet.
Vision Deterioration: The lack of vitamin E can weaken light receptors in the retina, leading to impaired vision over time. In severe cases, this can result in retinopathy or even blindness.
Weakened Immune System: Some research suggests a vitamin E deficiency can compromise the function of immune cells, making the body more susceptible to infections. This is especially concerning for older adults.
Hemolytic Anemia: This blood disorder involves the premature destruction of red blood cells due to oxidative damage. It is a particularly serious risk for premature and low-birth-weight infants who have lower vitamin E reserves.
Skin and Hair Issues: The antioxidant properties of vitamin E help protect skin and hair from damage. A lack of this nutrient can lead to dry, flaky, irritated skin and weakened hair follicles, which may result in hair loss.

Common Causes and Risk Factors

Most cases of vitamin E deficiency are not caused by a simple dietary lack but rather by an inability to properly absorb or metabolize the vitamin.

Fat Malabsorption Disorders: Conditions that interfere with the body's ability to absorb fat are the most common cause. This includes cystic fibrosis, Crohn's disease, celiac disease, chronic pancreatitis, and certain liver or gallbladder diseases.
Genetic Conditions: Rare, inherited disorders like abetalipoproteinemia and ataxia with isolated vitamin E deficiency disrupt the body's ability to absorb or transport vitamin E.
Extremely Low-Fat Diets: Because vitamin E is fat-soluble, a very low-fat diet can hinder its absorption.
Premature Birth: Premature infants are born with low reserves of vitamin E and an immature digestive system, putting them at higher risk.
Bariatric Surgery: Individuals who have undergone weight-loss surgery may have impaired absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, including vitamin E.

Comparison of Effects: Vitamin E Deficiency vs. Sufficiency


Feature	When Body Has Enough Vitamin E	When Body Lacks Enough Vitamin E
Cell Protection	Cells are protected from damage by free radicals.	Oxidative stress damages cells, especially nerve cells.
Neurological Function	Maintains healthy central and peripheral nervous system function.	Impairs nerve signaling, causing ataxia, tingling, and weakness.
Muscle Strength	Supports muscle function and strength.	Can lead to muscle weakness (myopathy) and poor reflexes.
Eye Health	Protects the retina and other eye cells from damage.	Increases risk of vision problems, including retinopathy.
Immune Response	Contributes to a robust and effective immune system.	Can weaken the immune system, increasing vulnerability to infections.
Red Blood Cells	Protects red blood cells from oxidative destruction.	Can lead to hemolytic anemia, particularly in infants.
Skin & Hair	Supports healthy skin moisture and hair follicle health.	Results in dry, irritated skin and potential hair loss.

How to Ensure Adequate Vitamin E Intake

For most healthy adults, a balanced diet rich in vitamin E sources is enough to prevent deficiency. Focus on incorporating these foods into your daily meals:

Nuts and Seeds: Almonds, sunflower seeds, and hazelnuts are excellent sources.
Vegetable Oils: Wheat germ, sunflower, and safflower oils contain high concentrations.
Leafy Greens: Spinach and broccoli contribute to your daily intake.
Fortified Foods: Many cereals and fruit juices are fortified with vitamin E; check the label.

For individuals with fat malabsorption issues or specific genetic disorders, a healthcare provider may recommend vitamin E supplementation. It is crucial to consult with a doctor before starting any high-dose supplements, especially as high intake can interfere with blood thinners and other medications.

Conclusion

While a severe lack of vitamin E is uncommon in the general population, its consequences can be serious, affecting the nervous system, muscles, eyes, and immune function. Deficiency is most often linked to underlying medical conditions that impair the body's ability to absorb fat. For healthy individuals, a balanced diet is sufficient for prevention. Early diagnosis and management are key for those at risk due to other health issues. By understanding what happens if the body doesn't get enough vitamin E, you can take proactive steps to safeguard your health through proper nutrition and medical guidance.

For more detailed information on recommended daily allowances and food sources, consult the Office of Dietary Supplements at the National Institutes of Health.(https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminE-Consumer/)

Frequently Asked Questions

The most common cause of vitamin E deficiency is an underlying medical condition that prevents the body from properly absorbing fat, as vitamin E is fat-soluble.

Yes, most healthy people can get sufficient vitamin E through a balanced diet that includes vegetable oils, nuts, seeds, and leafy green vegetables.

Early symptoms often include general muscle weakness, impaired coordination, and a feeling of numbness or tingling in the extremities.

Yes, a deficiency can damage the eye's retina and other cells, potentially leading to progressive vision deterioration and, in severe cases, blindness.

While rare, a severe, prolonged deficiency is serious and can lead to irreversible nerve damage, immune dysfunction, and vision loss.

Individuals with fat malabsorption disorders, premature infants with low birth weight, and people with certain rare genetic conditions are at the highest risk.

A doctor can diagnose a vitamin E deficiency through a physical exam, a review of medical history, and a blood test to measure serum vitamin E levels.

Yes, a lack of vitamin E's antioxidant protection can disrupt the skin's natural barrier, leading to dryness, irritation, and potentially hyperpigmentation.

Supplements are typically not necessary for healthy people who consume a varied diet. They are usually reserved for individuals with specific medical conditions that cause malabsorption, under a doctor's supervision.