General Dosage
15 mg (22 IU) of alpha-tocopherol daily from food and supplements combined
Maximum dose: 1,000 mg/day (1,500 IU natural or 1,100 IU synthetic) NIH UL; meta-analyses suggest risk increases at ≥400 IU/day
Vitamin E Dosage Guide
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement. Full disclaimer
Dosage Recommendations
General recommendation: 15 mg (22 IU) of alpha-tocopherol daily from food and supplements combined
Timing: With a fat-containing meal for optimal absorption • Take with food for best absorption.
Dosage by Condition
| Condition | Recommended Dose | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| General health | 15 mg (22 IU) daily, preferably from food | Strong |
| Immune support (elderly) | 200 mg (134 IU) daily | Moderate |
| Deficiency correction | 100-400 IU daily under medical supervision | Strong |
Upper limit: 1,000 mg/day (1,500 IU natural or 1,100 IU synthetic) NIH UL; meta-analyses suggest risk increases at ≥400 IU/day
Timing & Absorption
With a fat-containing meal for optimal absorption
Best taken with food for optimal absorption.
References
- Miller ER 3rd, Pastor-Barriuso R, Dalal D, et al. (2005). Meta-analysis: high-dosage vitamin E supplementation may increase all-cause mortality. Annals of Internal Medicine. DOI PubMed
- Klein EA, Thompson IM Jr, Tangen CM, et al. (2011). Vitamin E and the risk of prostate cancer: the Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT). JAMA. DOI PubMed
- Meydani SN, Meydani M, Blumberg JB, et al. (1997). Vitamin E supplementation and in vivo immune response in healthy elderly subjects: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA. DOI PubMed
- Dysken MW, Sano M, Asthana S, et al. (2014). Effect of vitamin E and memantine on functional decline in Alzheimer disease: the TEAM-AD VA cooperative randomized trial. JAMA. DOI PubMed