Vitamin E Side Effects

Vitamin E has been used as a homeopathic remedy to treat conditions such as allergies, heart disease and cancer, although the evidence for its effectiveness is unclear. According to the Mayo Clinic, most humans get the proper amount of vitamin E through eating a balanced diet including eggs, meats, oils, green vegetables and whole grains. When taken as a dietary supplement, vitamin E levels may exceed what the body can handle and cause negative effects on health.

Rashes

• Skin rashes including dermatitis and eczema are side effects of using vitamin E as an ointment on the skin or in hygiene products.

Digestive Problems

• High doses of vitamin E may cause digestive problems such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain when taken at high doses.

Bleeding

• Vitamin E can decrease the ability of blood to clot and cause problems with internal bleeding, especially in people who are taking blood thinners such as aspirin.

Neurological

• Supplements of vitamin E beyond what the body needs may result in dizziness, headache, fatigue and vision problems.

Heart Disease

• According to the National Institutes of Health, taking supplements of vitamin E increases the risk of heart disease.

Stroke

• According to the Mayo Clinic, a rare side effect of vitamin E is hemorrhagic stroke, which is bleeding in the brain and can be fatal.

Warning

• Vitamin E supplementation is not recommended for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding due to a lack of information about the safety of high doses of vitamin E in unborn babies and young children.