Fat-soluble antioxidant vitamin
Quality and Security
High-quality testing run in a CLIA-certified and CAP-accredited lab in Santa Clara, California.
About Vitamin E (Alpha-Tocopherol)
${ activeTab.tab_content.text }
Loading...
About Vitamin E (Alpha-Tocopherol)
Overview and History
Alpha‑tocopherol is a fat‑soluble vitamin and the predominant form of vitamin E circulating in plasma. It is classified as a tocopherol, a family of related compounds discovered in the early 20th century for their role in reproductive health and later recognized for antioxidant activity.
Biologically, alpha‑tocopherol embeds in lipid membranes where it interrupts lipid peroxidation and preserves membrane integrity. It is carried in blood by lipoproteins and relies on hepatic alpha‑tocopherol transfer protein for selective secretion and distribution to tissues. Interactions with other antioxidants (for example vitamin C) support recycling of oxidized tocopherol back to its active form.
Interpreting Highs and Lows
Higher-than-expected serum alpha‑tocopherol can reflect recent high oral intake or elevated circulating lipids that carry more vitamin E; it can also arise from altered transport or clearance. Elevated values should be interpreted alongside lipid panels and medication or supplement histories.
Lower serum alpha‑tocopherol may indicate low dietary intake, impaired fat absorption, increased oxidative consumption, low circulating lipids, or variations in genes affecting vitamin E transport. Low results are most informative when reviewed with other fat‑soluble vitamins, lipid measures, and markers of absorption or oxidative stress.
Featured Test
Nutrient Zoomer includes alpha‑tocopherol to evaluate antioxidant capacity, fat‑soluble vitamin transport, and how lipid status and genetic variants affect vitamin E biology. Paired with lipids, other vitamins, and genetic data, the marker helps providers identify patterns that guide personalized nutrition and monitoring.
Related Articles
What do you think of when you hear the term “cardiovascular disease?” Most people immediately think of high cholesterol, but cardiovascular risk goes ...
When it comes to cardiovascular disease (CVD), many people immediately think of high cholesterol. High cholesterol—a specific type of dyslipidemia or ...
Metabolic health is the foundation of nearly every system in the body—from how we generate energy to how we respond to stress, manage inflammation, an...
At low levels, reactive oxygen species (ROS) originating from both immune cells and mitochondria are important signaling molecules for the immune syst...
.jpg)
Results trusted by over 18,000 functional wellness professionals
We’re the leading provider of specialty wellness lab testing because we develop our testing with rigorous, ongoing research by top clinical experts, doctors, and scientists.
-1.png?width=542&height=427&name=shutterstock_2371998817%201%20(1)-1.png)
.png?width=207&height=108&name=Group%201410104259%20(1).png)
The gold standard of accuracy in the lab industry
Our tests run on a proprietary 3Dense microchip technology platform that boasts unrivaled specificity and sensitivity. While most other labs carry only CLIA certification, we're CAP-accredited by the College of American Pathologists.
.png?width=487&height=356&name=Frame%201410104197%20(3).png)
.png?width=187&height=63&name=category%20Card%20text%20(1).png)
.png?width=202&height=63&name=category%20Card%20text%20(2).png)
Mary Beth Augustine
DCN, RDN, FAND- Lead Clinical Educator
Suzanne Barker
MS, RDN, LD, CTTS, CGP- Clinical Educator
Suzette Garcia
MSc- MHNE- Clinical Educator
Brooke Mader Ganev
MS, CNS, LDN, FDN- Clinical Educator
Adair Anderson
MS, RDN, LDN- Clinical Educator
Lillie Luu Nguyen
DCN, CNS, LDN- Clinical Educator
Jason Barker
ND- Clinical Educator
Emaline Brown
ND- Clinical Educator
Dana Filatova
DCN, CNS, LDN- Clinical Educator
Jessy Dhanjal
ND- Clinical Educator
Nour Amri
MS, LDN, CNS, CKNS- Clinical Educator
