Vitamin E Needs Fat for its Absorption

Yvonne M. Jeanes; Wendy L. Hall; Susan Ellard; Elizabeth Lee; John K. Lodge. The absorption of vitamin E is influenced by the amount of fat in a meal and the food matrix. British Journal of Nutrition, 2004; 92: 575-579

Centre for Nutrition and Food Safety, School of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey GU2 7XH, UK

Abstract:
Vitamin E absorption requires the presence of fat; however, limited information exists on the influence of fat quantity on optimal absorption.

In the present study we compared the absorption of stable-isotope-labelled vitamin E following meals of varying fat content and source. In a randomised four-way cross-over study, eight healthy individuals consumed a capsule containing 150 mg 2H-labelled RRR--tocopheryl acetate with a test meal of toast with butter (17·5 g fat), cereal with full-fat milk (17·5 g fat), cereal with semi-skimmed milk (2·7 g fat) and water (0 g fat).

Blood was taken at 0, 0·5, 1, 1·5, 2, 3, 6 and 9 h following ingestion, chylomicrons were isolated, and 2H-labelled alpha -tocopherol was analysed in the chylomicron and plasma samples. There was a significant time (P<0·001) and treatment effect (P<0·001) in 2H-labelled alpha -tocopherol concentration in both chylomicrons and plasma between the test meals.

2H-labelled alpha -tocopherol concentration was significantly greater with the higher-fat toast and butter meal compared with the low-fat cereal meal or water (P<0·001), and a trend towards greater concentration compared with the high-fat cereal meal (P=0·065). There was significantly greater 2H-labelled alpha -tocopherol concentration with the high-fat cereal meal compared with the low-fat cereal meal (P<0·05). The 2H-labelled alpha -tocopherol concentration following either the low-fat cereal meal or water was low.

These results demonstrate that both the amount of fat and the food matrix influence vitamin E absorption. These factors should be considered by consumers and for future vitamin E intervention studies.

COMMENT: Vitamin E is one of the anti-oxidant vitamins many of us need. But there is no point is eating a diet rich in vitamin E – or taking vitamin E pills – unless you eat it with fat. If you are on a low-fat diet, you are wasting your money.

You should also note that breakfast cereals also tend to inhibit its absorption.

This study is also applicable to other nutrients: Vitamin E is only one of four fat-soluble vitamins; the others are vitamins, A, D and K. And in a similar way, these three vitamins will also not be absorbed from a low-fat diet.

While we are on this subject, Calcium is another mineral that needs a high-fat diet for its absorption. Only about 5% is absorbed from skim milk, whereas 50% is absorbed from full-cream milk. It's no wonder that bone diseases are increasing.