Side-by-Side Comparison
Essential Vitamins & Minerals
Vitamin E (d-Alpha-Tocopherol) vs. Zinc (Elemental Zn)
Comparing 2 standards across 9 specifications. 9 key differences identified.
Comparing:
Vitamin E (d-Alpha-Tocopherol)
Zinc (Elemental Zn)
Vitamin E is the principal fat-soluble peroxyl radical-scavenging antioxidant protecting cellular polyunsaturated membrane phospholipids. Adult RDA is 15 mg (22.4 IU) of d-alpha-tocopherol, with a Tolerable Upper Limit of 1,000 mg (1,500 IU)/day.
Zinc is an essential trace mineral serving as a structural component in over 2,000 transcription factor 'zinc finger' proteins and catalytic cofactor for 300+ enzymes. Adult RDA is 11mg (men) / 8mg (women), with a Tolerable Upper Limit of 40mg/day.
Specification Comparison Table
9 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Nutrient Type
|
Fat-Soluble Chromanol Lipophilic Vitamin | Essential Trace Mineral |
|
Adult RDA / RDI
|
15 mg / day (22.4 IU) of 2R-alpha-tocopherol | 11 mg / day (Men) / 8 mg / day (Women) |
|
Tolerable Upper Limit (UL)
|
1,000 mg / day (1,500 IU synthetic) (Excess impairs Vitamin K clotting cascade) | 40 mg / day (Chronic excess induces copper deficiency) |
|
Chemical Forms
|
RRR-alpha-Tocopherol (Natural d-alpha), all-rac-alpha-Tocopherol (Synthetic dl-alpha), Gamma/Delta-Tocopherols | Zinc Picolinate, Bisglycinate, Gluconate, Sulfate, Oxide |
|
Primary Biological Function
|
Breaks lipid peroxidation chain in PUFA cell membranes, protects LDL from oxidative modification, maintains erythrocyte membrane integrity | Zinc finger DNA transcription factors, Superoxide Dismutase (SOD1), Carbonic anhydrase, Testosterone synthesis, Phagocytosis |
|
Deficiency Condition
|
Hemolytic anemia, Spinocerebellar ataxia, Peripheral neuropathy, Loss of vibratory/proprioceptive sense | Impaired immunity, Hypogonadism, Delayed wound healing, Alopecia, Loss of taste/smell (Anosmia/Ageusia) |
|
Top Whole Food Sources
|
Wheat Germ Oil, Sunflower Seeds, Raw Almonds, Hazelnuts, Sunflower Oil, Spinach, Hass Avocado | Eastern Oysters, Beef Chuck, Crab, Pumpkin Seeds, Hemp Hearts, Chickpeas |
|
Hepatic Alpha-TTP Specificity
|
The liver secretes only alpha-tocopherol into VLDL via Alpha-Tocopherol Transfer Protein (alpha-TTP); other tocopherols are degraded in bile | — |
|
Copper Balance Warning
|
— | High zinc stimulates intestinal metallothionein which binds copper, risking microcytic anemia if copper is unsupplemented |
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