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Excerpt from the 2021 study: "Vitamin E: How much is enough, too much and why!" by Maret G. Traber & Brian Head
Well astaxanthin is also very effective antioxidant, but it's not a vitamin.
Astaxanthin is not an essential antioxidant, that's why.
Here's what your source Maret Traber says vitamin E is:
Vitamin E, Antioxidant and Nothing More
All of the naturally occurring vitamin E forms, as well as those of synthetic all rac-α-tocopherol, have relatively similar antioxidant properties, so why does the body prefer α-tocopherol as its unique form of vitamin E? We propose the hypothesis that all of the observations concerning the in vivo mechanism of action of α-tocopherol result from its role as a potent lipid soluble antioxidant. The purpose of this review then is to describe the evidence for α-tocopherol’s in vivo function and to make the claim that α-tocopherol’s major vitamin function, if not only function, is that of a peroxyl radical scavenger.
I think what she wrote is wrong (vitamin E regulates genetic expression) but regardless:
Tocotrienols can do that better. That means they are vitamin E too. Vitamin E is not just alpha tocopherol.
@arket wrote:
People get all kinds of adverse effects from astaxanthin like erectile problems. Alpha tocopherol has been shown to actually recover lost erectile function.
Astaxanthin itself probably isn't that toxic. It tends to be the carotenoid breakdown products that are responsible for the toxic effects. Could be a similar situation with gamma tocopherol.
I just yesterday watched one of Garrett Smith's testimonials where his male patient had low testosterone and zero libido and poor erectile function. Smith was able to raise the testosterone level to very impressive high numbers, but the patient still has zero libido and poor erectile function. Could it be that this patient lacks vitamin e because of vA toxicity and the diet that Smith recommends does not contain enough vE at all. Also Smith avoids vE because he thinks it's a toxin.
Health conditions are rarely as simple as one factor that needs to be corrected.
The patient's erectile dysfunction may be a nitric oxide synthase issue. Hypervitaminosis A causes an inhibition of that enzyme. L-arginine may be a temporary fix. Other things can inhibit that enzyme e.g. cadmium toxicity.
The right way to improve most health problems is with a holistic focus as well as a specific focus. That way you are improving overall organ function which is necessary for successfully resolving most complaints.
Low dose vitamin E supplementation would normally be in my holistic focus basket.
Just wanted to add, astaxanthin in supplemental amounts could have all sorts of direct toxic effects, maybe it could also inhibit nitric oxide synthase.
The reason why I try supplementing alpha tocopherol and mixed tocopherols is that when I couple of years ago used to take those two I had very good erection even though I was my highest point of vA toxicity. Now my erections are just ok, just meh. I'm sure it will improve over time when I deplete vA stores, but I want to try does vE improve it sooner.
I thank the users because in this discussion I found interesting information regarding the interaction between vitamin K and vitamin E. I rarely post on this forum, but I remember that for 5 years I tried a Ray Peat diet that places a lot of emphasis on vitamin E (and unfortunately also vitamin A). At the time, I tried a vitamin E supplement with 400UI mixed tocopherols but had to stop because I had nosebleeds after a few days and an abnormal (excessive) stimulation of libido. Now, for a couple of months I have been supplementing with 400 IU of natural alpha-tocopherol (not mixed tocopherols) with addition of a mix of vitamin K (K1 + K2 MK4 and MK7) and I have not had any bleeding episodes, nor tinnitus. Even aspirin, which thins my blood, gives me tinnitus, to underline how sensitive I am.
This mix has given me a new life, I feel great, vitamin E is working the magic promised by Ray Peat. In the meantime, I tried a mixed tocotrienol supplement for just a few days, and I immediately felt worse, with a lack of energy and a renewed libido boost, which I find to be a bad thing.
Therefore, both mixed tocopherols and mixed tocotrienols are unhealthy for my body; that's just my story.
Furthermore, I believe that if you have clotting problems with vitamin E, it simply means you're deficient in vitamin K. I've read many studies in recent weeks, and vitamin E's protection against retinoic acid and heavy metal toxicity (mercury, lead, silver, aluminum, iron, and even copper) is exceptional. Natural Alpha-tocopherol should be given a chance.
It's clear that it's not just an antioxidant, but has a broad protective and vitamin-like effect. Furthermore, from the studies I've read, the therapeutic effect only occurs at high doses, greater than 100 IU per day. So, here we're talking about using vitamin E at pharmacological, not physiological, doses, which is confusing to many. In any case, vitamin E has no toxic effects, only vitamin K dysregulation at doses above 1000 IU. There are some studies that say otherwise, but in those cases, synthetic vitamin E was used or mixed with other substances like beta-carotene, and there's no need to reiterate here in this forum how harmful it is. A rule of thumb to determine whether a substance may be toxic is to see if the industry has made a drug or an animal poison. This is the case, for example, with vitamin D3 (rat poison) and vitamin A (chemotherapy). This simply cannot be done with natural vitamin E. This is an important fact to establish beforehand since lipophilic substances accumulate in fat and the liver for years.
I don't intend to take high-dose vitamin E forever, but just enough to correct chronic dysfunctional conditions and have a booster effect for the future.
I might still be careful about supplementing any fat-soluble vitamin. (as we know they are sticky and all that). But I'm glad you are doing good, thanks for posting about it!
Quote from Hermes on May 20, 2026, 1:12 pmInteresting observation about the effects of various forms of vitamin E.
What's the supplement you're taking?
I've never paid much attention to the various forms.
HSN Vitamin E 400 UI + Vitamaze K complex (K1+MK4+MK7)
Quote from lil chick on May 20, 2026, 5:36 pmI might still be careful about supplementing any fat-soluble vitamin. (as we know they are sticky and all that). But I'm glad you are doing good, thanks for posting about it!
Sure, I've already started taking vitamin E every other day, since it's fully absorbed after 24 hours. Then I'll switch to once a week, and then I'll stop.
Quote from Tropico on May 21, 2026, 1:16 amHSN Vitamin E 400 UI + Vitamaze K complex (K1+MK4+MK7)
Like this?
https://www.hsnstore.de/marken/essential-series/vitamin-e-400ie
Yes, exactly that product. Nothing special, natural alpha tocopherol. There could be many reasons why it worked for me; I don't think it works the same for everyone*. Overall, it calmed my overexcited neuromuscular system, and I've gotten back to sleeping very well without interruptions. My urine flow is also freer than before, so it certainly worked on my prostate.
* In healthy people, who do not need them, quantities greater than 400 IU could alter autophagy and cell apoptosis, triggering the so-called "antioxidant paradox": ROS are necessary, they are like brakes on a car.