Vitamin E Thyroid Health: What’s the Connection?
Are you looking to support your thyroid health the natural way? Along with essential trace minerals like iodine and selenium, Vitamin E helps your thyroid recover from oxidative stress and inflammation, synthesize hormones, and more. For individuals with hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s disease, Vitamin E can offer natural support alongside traditional medicines like levothyroxine. In this article, we’ll explore: what Vitamin E is, Vitamin E thyroid health benefits, and where to buy natural and effective Vitamin E supplements.
What is Vitamin E?
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble antioxidant that is essential for our skin, immune system, circulatory system, and more. In nature, Vitamin E occurs in eight forms, but the one our body requires is alpha-tocopherol. Alpha-tocopherol is largely responsible for protecting cells from free radical damage, also known as oxidative stress.
Common dietary sources of Vitamin E include: wheat germ oil, sunflower seeds, almonds, and peanuts.
Vitamin E Benefits
The benefits of Vitamin E include:
- Improved cognitive function
- Antioxidant properties
- Cancer prevention
- Prevents blood clots
- May slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
- Supports immune function
- Skin moisture and softness
Vitamin E Thyroid Health
Vitamin E thyroid health remains a fascinating topic. As an essential nutrient, Vitamin E has a number of benefits, including thyroid support. Here’s what that looks like:
Subclinical hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid does not produce enough hormones to function properly. This can lead to a sluggish metabolism, weight gain, trouble maintaining body temperature, and even a slow heart rate (bradycardia).
When the thyroid gland produces enough hormones (T3 and T4) to fall within the normal range, but the pituitary produces slightly elevated serum levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), the thyroid may still struggle to keep up with the body’s energetic demands. This condition, which affects 3-8% of the general population, is called subclinical hypothyroidism. Subclinical hypothyroidism is often understood as the initial stage of hypothyroidism.
In a landmark study, 7,773 nonpregnant adult subjects were analyzed for Vitamin E levels and rates of subclinical hypothyroidism. The analysis found that higher Vitamin E intake was associated with a lower prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism and autoimmune thyroiditis in men. However, the study appeared to show no significant association for women.
Prevent cellular damage
Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant with the ability to neutralize free radicals and stop oxidative stress at the source. When it comes to thyroid health, this becomes invaluable. While oxidative stress may seem ubiquitous and is a natural part of many biological processes, antioxidants are required to reign in dangerous free radicals, which can damage cells and tissues throughout the body.
In the thyroid, the generation of radical oxygen species (ROS) is an essential part of hormone synthesis. However, when the body lacks sufficient antioxidants to neutralize ROS generated by the thyroid’s normal functioning, free radicals are able to run amok, damaging tissue and nearby cells. Studies show that, over time, oxidative stress damage within the thyroid, alongside genetic and environmental factors, can cause or worsen thyroid diseases such as Hashimoto’s disease. Supplementing Vitamin E and eating a healthy diet can help mitigate free radical damage and reduce Hashimoto’s triggers.
Where to Buy Vitamin E Supplements
Looking to support healthy thyroid function with top-shelf supplements? Standard Process Cataplex® E delivers all-natural Vitamin E alongside organic beetroot, organic oat flour, organic pea vine juice powder, and high-quality selenium yeast. Together, Vitamin E and Selenium boost thyroid hormone synthesis, helping the body meet essential metabolic needs. You can buy Standard Process Cataplex® E here in our shop.
