Vitamin E (dl-alpha Tocopheryl Acetate)
dl-alpha-tocopheryl acetate
Also known as: dl-alpha tocopheryl acetate, synthetic vitamin E, all-rac-alpha-tocopheryl acetate
This ingredient is classified as unclassified risk (GIRI score: 4.0/10).
Safety Profile
Known Safety Concerns
- Same anticoagulant risks as natural vitamin E at high doses
- Lower bioavailability -- requires gut esterase for activation
- High-dose supplementation associated with mortality risk in meta-analyses
- May interfere with vitamin K-dependent clotting factors
Contraindications
- Same anticoagulant risks as natural vitamin E at high doses
- Lower bioavailability -- requires gut esterase for activation
Interactions
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Evidence and Scientific Findings
Ingredient Overview
The synthetic acetate ester form of vitamin E — the most common form in inexpensive supplements. Lower bioavailability than natural d-alpha tocopherol. The acetate group must be cleaved in the gut before absorption. Same cardiovascular and anticoagulant risks apply at high doses as with natural vitamin E. Widely used in multivitamins and food fortification.
Biological and Chemical Classification
- Scientific Name
- dl-alpha-tocopheryl acetate
Mechanism of Action
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Clinical Evidence of Effectiveness
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Pharmacokinetics
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Recommended Dosage
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
SETI — Scientific Evidence Transparency Index
Executive Summary — Ingredient Assessment
- 10 studies reviewed
- 0 high-quality studies (meta-analysis or RCT)
- Main clinical benefit observed: Vitamin
- Evidence consistency: High consistency across studies (100%)
- Same anticoagulant risks as natural vitamin E at high doses
- Lower bioavailability -- requires gut esterase for activation
- High-dose supplementation associated with mortality risk in meta-analyses
- May interfere with vitamin K-dependent clotting factors
The available scientific evidence for Vitamin E (dl-alpha Tocopheryl Acetate) indicates notable safety signals that warrant caution. Use should be considered carefully and monitored, particularly in sensitive populations or alongside other medications.
Total SETI Score
High risk| Evidence quality | 10/40 |
| Evidence consistency | 20/20 |
| Safety signals | 0/20 |
| Study recency | 10/10 |
| Evidence transparency | 10/10 |
Evidence Summary
- 10 studies reviewed
- 0 high-quality studies (meta-analysis or systematic review)
- 0 studies identified benefits or no safety concern (GREEN)
- 10 studies reported limited or advisory safety evidence (YELLOW)
Evidence Policy
Only peer-reviewed scientific literature indexed in PubMed or comparable databases is included in this evaluation. Commercial websites, blogs, and marketing materials are excluded. All references include direct traceable links to source documents.
Last updated: 24 მარ 2026, 07:53
Evidence Distribution
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWTherapeutic potential of a choline-zinc-vitamin E nutraceutical complex in ameliorating thioacetamide-induced nonalcoholic fatty liver pathology in zebrafish. ↗Cao B et al.. Therapeutic potential of a choline-zinc-vitamin E nutraceutical complex in ameliorating thioacetamide-induced nonalcoholic fatty liver pathology in zebrafish.. PLoS One. 2025. PMID:40392901.PMID 40392901 ↗Journal PLoS OneYear 2025Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40392901/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWUnraveling the Impact of the Oil Phase on the Physicochemical Stability and Skin Permeability of Melatonin Gel Formulations. ↗Torrado JJ et al.. Unraveling the Impact of the Oil Phase on the Physicochemical Stability and Skin Permeability of Melatonin Gel Formulations.. Gels. 2024. PMID:39330197.PMID 39330197 ↗Journal GelsYear 2024Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39330197/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWSupplementation of vitamin E or a botanical extract as antioxidants to improve growth performance and health of growing pigs housed under thermoneutral… ↗Silva-Guillen YV et al.. Supplementation of vitamin E or a botanical extract as antioxidants to improve growth performance and health of growing pigs housed under thermoneutral or heat-stressed conditions.. J Anim Sci Biotechnol. 2024. PMID:38369504.PMID 38369504 ↗Journal J Anim Sci BiotechnolYear 2024Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38369504/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWEffects of vitamin E and selenium administration on transportation stress in pregnant dairy heifers. ↗Jung DJS et al.. Effects of vitamin E and selenium administration on transportation stress in pregnant dairy heifers.. J Dairy Sci. 2023. PMID:37678766.PMID 37678766 ↗Journal J Dairy SciYear 2023Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37678766/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWEffects of Dietary Vitamin E on Intramuscular Fat Deposition and Transcriptome Profile of the Pectoral Muscle of Broilers. ↗Zhang M et al.. Effects of Dietary Vitamin E on Intramuscular Fat Deposition and Transcriptome Profile of the Pectoral Muscle of Broilers.. J Poult Sci. 2023. PMID:36756043.PMID 36756043 ↗Journal J Poult SciYear 2023Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36756043/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWEffects of Commercial Antioxidants in Feed on Growth Performance and Oxidative Stress Status of Weaned Piglets. ↗Orengo J et al.. Effects of Commercial Antioxidants in Feed on Growth Performance and Oxidative Stress Status of Weaned Piglets.. Animals (Basel). 2021. PMID:33494343.PMID 33494343 ↗Journal Animals (Basel)Year 2021Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33494343/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWTreatment of Non-Alcoholic Steatosis: Preclinical Study of a New Nutraceutical Multitarget Formulation. ↗Micheli L et al.. Treatment of Non-Alcoholic Steatosis: Preclinical Study of a New Nutraceutical Multitarget Formulation.. Nutrients. 2020. PMID:32570937.PMID 32570937 ↗Journal NutrientsYear 2020Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32570937/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWGrowth performance, oxidative stress and immune status of newly weaned pigs fed peroxidized lipids with or without supplemental vitamin E or polyphenols. ↗Silva-Guillen YV et al.. Growth performance, oxidative stress and immune status of newly weaned pigs fed peroxidized lipids with or without supplemental vitamin E or polyphenols.. J Anim Sci Biotechnol. 2020. PMID:32158543.PMID 32158543 ↗Journal J Anim Sci BiotechnolYear 2020Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32158543/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWGenome-Wide Association Study and Subsequent Exclusion of ATCAY as a Candidate Gene Involved in Equine Neuroaxonal Dystrophy Using Two Animal Models. ↗Hales EN et al.. Genome-Wide Association Study and Subsequent Exclusion of ATCAY as a Candidate Gene Involved in Equine Neuroaxonal Dystrophy Using Two Animal Models.. Genes (Basel). 2020. PMID:31936863.PMID 31936863 ↗Journal Genes (Basel)Year 2020Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31936863/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWSingle-Cell RNA-seq Reveals Profound Alterations in Mechanosensitive Dorsal Root Ganglion Neurons with Vitamin E Deficiency. ↗Finno CJ et al.. Single-Cell RNA-seq Reveals Profound Alterations in Mechanosensitive Dorsal Root Ganglion Neurons with Vitamin E Deficiency.. iScience. 2019. PMID:31733517.PMID 31733517 ↗Journal iScienceYear 2019Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31733517/
Score Transparency
0 of 10 approved references (score saturates at 10). More peer-reviewed studies = stronger evidence base.
Method: Q = number of approved references ÷ 10 (capped at 1.0)
Limited — mostly case reports or animal studies
Method: L = mean study-level weight across approved references. Level 1 (meta-analysis / systematic review) = 1.0; Level 2 (RCT) = 0.8; Level 3 (cohort/case-control) = 0.6; Level 4 (case report) = 0.4; Level 5 (animal / in-vitro) = 0.2.
Mixed or neutral — roughly equal benefit and risk signals
Method: D = (sum of risk-scored references − sum of benefit-scored references) ÷ total evidence score, then scaled from [−1, 1] to [0, 1]. 0.0 = pure benefit; 0.5 = neutral; 1.0 = pure risk.
One or more monitoring-level safety signals active
Method: S = 0.5 (neutral baseline) + sum of active signal severity deltas ÷ 10. Severity deltas: Critical = +2.0, High = +1.5, Moderate = +1.0, Low = +0.5. Capped at 1.0.
Final GIRI Score for Vitamin E (dl-alpha Tocopheryl Acetate). Risk level thresholds: Low 0–3.0 · Moderate 3.0–5.5 · High 5.5–7.5 · Critical 7.5–10.
Full methodology & data sources
The GIRI Score is computed entirely from structured data — no editorial scoring or subjective weighting is applied at any step.
- References: Only approved references are counted. Each reference is assigned an evidence level (L1–L5) and a direction (risk / neutral / benefit) by the reference manager or AI classifier.
- Safety Signals: Sourced from regulatory agencies (FDA, EMA, Health Canada, TGA, and others) and pharmacovigilance databases. Only active signals count toward the score.
- Formula version: GIRI Score v3.7.0 — Q × L × D × S × 10.
- Limitations: The score reflects published evidence and recorded signals as of the last update date. It is not a clinical risk assessment and should not replace advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
Risk Level Classification
Based on available regulatory signals and scientific evidence, this ingredient presents a moderate safety concern. Caution is advised, particularly at high doses or in sensitive populations.
0–3.0
3.0–5.5
5.5–7.5
7.5–10
The score pin shows exactly where this ingredient falls on the fixed risk scale.
What drove the Moderate classification for Vitamin E (dl-alpha Tocopheryl Acetate)
A score of 4.0 places this ingredient in the Moderate band. Thresholds: Low 0–3.0 · Moderate 3.0–5.5 · High 5.5–7.5 · Critical 7.5–10.
0 approved references.
Limited — mostly case reports or animal studies (Level 4–5).
Neutral or mixed — benefit and risk signals roughly balanced.
No active signals — S component is at neutral baseline (0.5), contributing no extra risk weight.
No major regulatory restrictions or advisories recorded across monitored jurisdictions (FDA, EMA, Health Canada, TGA, and others).
How are the Low / Moderate / High / Critical thresholds defined?
The four risk levels are fixed score bands. A score is assigned to exactly one level based on where it falls:
| Level | Score | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| LOW | 0.0 – 2.9 | Sparse or predominantly beneficial evidence. No active safety alerts. |
| MODERATE | 3.0 – 5.4 | Mixed signals — some risk alongside benefit. Caution at high doses or in sensitive groups. |
| HIGH | 5.5 – 7.4 | Multiple studies or regulatory alerts documenting adverse effects. Professional oversight recommended. |
| CRITICAL | 7.5 – 10 | Regulatory restrictions in one or more major jurisdictions. Serious documented harm. Avoid without specialist supervision. |
Thresholds are fixed constants (GIRI_Score_Utils::LEVEL_THRESHOLDS). They do not change per ingredient and are never subject to editorial adjustment.