Vitamin C + Vitamin E

Uses

Keratosis, Rough skin,Wrinkles associated with aging, Alzheimer's disease, Cancer Prevention, dementia, degenerative diseases, coronary heart diseases, end stage renal disease, growth and repair of body tissue, bone, skin, teeth and hair.

Vitamin C + Vitamin E is also used to associated treatment for these conditions: Vitamin Deficiency, Long-chain omega-3 fatty acid supplementation, Dietary supplementation

How Vitamin C + Vitamin E works

The mechanism of action for most of vitamin E's effects are still unknown. Vitamin E is an antioxidant, preventing free radical reactions with cell membranes. Though in some cases vitamin E has been shown to have pro-oxidant activity.

One mechanism of vitamin E's antioxidant effect is in the termination of lipid peroxidation. Vitamin E reacts with unstable lipid radicals, producing stable lipids and a relatively stable vitamin E radical. The vitamin E radical is then reduced back to stable vitamin E by reaction with ascorbate or glutathione.

Dosage

Vitamin C + Vitamin E dosage

One tablet or capsule daily or as directed by a physician.

Side Effects

Generally, Vitamin C + Vitamin E is well-tolerated. Diarrhea may occasionally occur during treatment with beta carotene and the skin may assume a slightly yellow discoloration. The side-effects of vitamin A are reversible. Vitamin C and vitamin E may cause diarrhea and other gastrointestinal disturbances.

Toxicity

There is no data available for effects in pregnancy, breast feeding, hepatic impairment, or renal impairment. However, it appears that the process of vitamin E elimination is strict and self regulating enough that vitamin E toxicity is exceedingly rare. Studies showing adverse effects from excess vitamin E generally involve people consuming more than 1000mg/day for weeks to months.

Precaution

Hypervitaminosis. Avoid use in early pregnancy. Patients on anti coagulant therapy should not use ascorbic acid prolonged period of time.

Interaction

Vitamin C: Deferroxamine, hormonal contraceptives, flufenazine, warfarin, elemental iron, salicylates, warfarin, fluphenazine, disulfiram, mexiletine, vitamin B12.

Vitamin E: Colestyramine, colestipol, and orlistat may interfere with vitamin E absorption. High doses of vitamin E potentiates the anticoagulant action of warfarin. Large doses of vitamin E may impair response to iron supplementation.

Volume of Distribution

0.41L/kg in premature neonates given a 20mg/kg intramuscular injection.

Elimination Route

10-33% of deuterium labelled vitamin E is absorbed in the small intestine. Absorption of Vitamin E is dependant upon absorption of the fat in which it is dissolved. For patients with poor fat absorption, a water soluble form of vitamin E may need to be substituted such as tocopheryl polyethylene glycol-1000 succinate.

In other studies the oral bioavailability of alpha-tocopherol was 36%, gamma-tocotrienol was 9%. The time to maximum concentration was 9.7 hours for alpha-tocopherol and 2.4 hours for gamma-tocotrienol.

Half Life

44 hours in premature neonates given a 20mg/kg intramuscular injection. 12 minutes in intravenous injection of intestinal lymph.

Clearance

6.5mL/hr/kg in premature neonates given a 20mg/kg intramuscular injection.

Elimination Route

Alpha tocopherol is excreted in urine as well as bile in the feces mainly as a carboxyethyl-hydrochroman (CEHC) metabolite, but it can be excreted in it's natural form .

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding use

Pregnancy Category A. Adequate and well-controlled human studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters).

Contraindication

Patients with a known hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients.

Special Warning

Use in Children: Vitamin E is safe for children

Acute Overdose

Large doses of vitamin E (more than 1 gm/day) have been reported to increase bleeding tendency in vitamin K deficient patients such as those taking oral anticoagulants.

Storage Condition

Store at a cool and dry place, Protect from light and moisture.

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