APA Dictionary of Psychology

a group of fat-soluble compounds (tocopherols and tocotrienols) that function as antioxidants, helping protect cell membranes from oxidative damage. It occurs naturally in foods such as vegetable oils, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and leafy green vegetables. Adequate dietary intake supports normal immune and neurological function, but evidence that vitamin E supplements prevent Alzheimer’s disease, cardiovascular disease, or most cancers is inconsistent. High-dose supplementation can be harmful and has been associated with increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke and, in some studies, a higher risk of prostate cancer.