ByDr. Brennan Commerford, D.C.·Last reviewed: April 2026
All Ingredients
Vitamin7 forms

Vitamin E

Preferred Form
Mixed Tocopherols
Form Score
100/100Top Tier
Evidence Level
Moderate Evidence

Which Vitamin E form is best?

See our full ranked comparison — scored by absorption, bioavailability & formulary tier

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Quick Answer

What is Vitamin E used for?

Vitamin E is commonly used to support antioxidant defense, cardiovascular heal. Our summary here is backed by 3 cited studies.

3cited studies

All Forms of Vitamin E

FormTierForm ScoreDose RangeUnitCompare
Mixed TocopherolsPreferred
100/100Top Tier
Tocotrienols DeltaGoldSpecialist
95/100Top Tier
vs Mixed Tocopherols
d-Alpha TocopherolCustomer Choice
95/100Top Tier
vs Mixed Tocopherols
dl-Alpha TocopherolCustomer Choice
85/100Strong
vs Mixed Tocopherols
d-Alpha Tocopheryl SuccinateCustomer Choice
Verification pending
vs Mixed Tocopherols
d-Alpha Tocopheryl AcetateCustomer Choice
Verification pending
vs Mixed Tocopherols
d-Alpha TocopherylCustomer Choice
Verification pending
vs Mixed Tocopherols

Absorption by Form

Top Tier
Mixed Tocopherols
100/100
Top Tier
d-Alpha Tocopherol
95/100
Top Tier
Tocotrienols DeltaGold
95/100
Strong
dl-Alpha Tocopherol
85/100

What is Vitamin E?

Vitamin E is a Vitamin supplement available in 7 forms.

Not all forms of Vitamin E are equal. The form you choose determines how much Vitamin E actually reaches your tissues, and the difference between the best and worst forms can be substantial. Mixed tocopherols provide the full spectrum of vitamin E activity (alpha, beta, gamma, delta) rather than isolated alpha-tocopherol alone. Research indicates gamma-tocopherol provides complementary anti-inflammatory benefits that alpha-tocopherol does not, and high-dose alpha-tocopherol alone can actually deplete gamma-tocopherol levels.

Forms of Vitamin E Compared

Vitamin E (as Mixed Tocopherols) Preferred (Preferred Form) has a bioavailability rating of high absorption.

Vitamin E (as Tocotrienols) DeltaGold® 35 CWD Powder (Secondary Form) has a bioavailability rating of good absorption.

Vitamin E (as d-Alpha Tocopherol) (Customer Choice) has a bioavailability rating of good absorption.

Vitamin E (as dl-Alpha Tocopherol) (Customer Choice) has a bioavailability rating of moderate absorption.

Vitamin E (as d-Alpha Tocopheryl Succinate) (Customer Choice) has a bioavailability rating of good absorption.

Vitamin E (as d-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate) (Customer Choice) has a bioavailability rating of good absorption.

Vitamin E (as d-Alpha Tocopheryl) (Customer Choice) has a bioavailability rating of good absorption.

What the Research Shows

Mixed tocopherols provide alpha-, beta-, delta-, and gamma-tocopherol — the full spectrum naturally found in food. Gamma-tocopherol, the predominant dietary form, is severely depleted by alpha-tocopherol-only supplements but is preserved and elevated (4-fold increase) with mixed tocopherol formulations. Natural RRR-alpha-tocopherol carries 1.36x biopotency compared to synthetic all-rac-alpha-tocopherol. Mixed tocopherol preparations uniquely deliver gamma-tocopherol's anti-inflammatory activity, including measured reduction of leukotriene B4 production in double-blind trials.

Randomized comparison of 4 vitamin E formulations (800 IU/day, 10 days) in normal male subjects: RRR-alpha-tocopherol (natural) has 1.36x biopotency vs all-rac (synthetic); bioavailability of alpha-tocopherol not affected by co-presence of other tocopherols in mixed formulations; all groups significantly suppressed serum gamma-tocopherol vs baseline PMID: 10218145
RCT, 58 subjects, 6 weeks: 500mg/day mixed tocopherols (60% gamma) caused 4-fold increase in serum and cellular gamma-tocopherol (P<0.001); alpha-tocopherol alone significantly decreased RBC gamma-tocopherol; demonstrates mixed tocopherols uniquely preserve the gamma-tocopherol pool unavailable with alpha-tocopherol-only supplements PMID: 16400056
Double-blind RCT, 55 type 2 diabetes subjects: mixed tocopherols significantly reduced neutrophil leukotriene B4 (P=0.02) while alpha-tocopherol alone did not (P=0.15); neutrophil gamma-tocopherol increased with mixed supplementation but decreased with alpha-alone (P<0.005); demonstrates gamma-tocopherol-dependent anti-inflammatory benefit unique to mixed tocopherol formulation PMID: 17272491

How to Choose the Right Form

Vitamin E (as Mixed Tocopherols) is classified as Preferred Form by FormulaForge — our top recommendation for Vitamin E. It carries a bioavailability rating of high absorption, meaning more of the active compound reaches your tissues per dose unit compared to lower-rated forms.

When choosing a Vitamin E supplement, read the label for the specific form name — that is what determines how much you actually absorb. Preferred Forms have the strongest research-backed evidence for efficient absorption.

Other forms may be appropriate depending on individual goals, cost considerations, and your healthcare provider’s guidance. The best form for you depends on your specific health needs.

Dosing & Safety

Individual dose requirements vary based on health goals, body weight, and existing nutrient intake. Your healthcare provider can help you determine an appropriate amount of Vitamin E for you.

Side Effects: Consult your healthcare provider regarding tolerability, particularly at higher doses.

These statements are based on structure/function research and have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting or changing a supplement regimen.

The Science

The following studies and findings inform FormulaForge classifications for Vitamin E:

Randomized comparison of 4 vitamin E formulations (800 IU/day, 10 days) in normal male subjects: RRR-alpha-tocopherol (natural) has 1.36x biopotency vs all-rac (synthetic); bioavailability of alpha-tocopherol not affected by co-presence of other tocopherols in mixed formulations; all groups significantly suppressed serum gamma-tocopherol vs baseline PMID: 10218145
RCT, 58 subjects, 6 weeks: 500mg/day mixed tocopherols (60% gamma) caused 4-fold increase in serum and cellular gamma-tocopherol (P<0.001); alpha-tocopherol alone significantly decreased RBC gamma-tocopherol; demonstrates mixed tocopherols uniquely preserve the gamma-tocopherol pool unavailable with alpha-tocopherol-only supplements PMID: 16400056
Double-blind RCT, 55 type 2 diabetes subjects: mixed tocopherols significantly reduced neutrophil leukotriene B4 (P=0.02) while alpha-tocopherol alone did not (P=0.15); neutrophil gamma-tocopherol increased with mixed supplementation but decreased with alpha-alone (P<0.005); demonstrates gamma-tocopherol-dependent anti-inflammatory benefit unique to mixed tocopherol formulation PMID: 17272491

Dosing Guidance

Individual dose requirements for Vitamin E vary based on health goals, body weight, and existing dietary intake. A qualified healthcare provider can help you determine an appropriate amount for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Vitamin E and what does it do?
Vitamin E is a supplement commonly used to support Vitamin — available in forms with exceptional bioavailability. As with all supplements, talk to a qualified healthcare provider about whether it fits your specific goals.
How much Vitamin E should I take?
Dosing for Vitamin E varies based on the specific form, your health goals, and individual factors. Consult a qualified healthcare provider for personalized guidance.
What does Vitamin E support?
Vitamin E is commonly used to support Vitamin. Research suggests it plays a role in several physiological pathways. As with all supplements, these statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and Vitamin E is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Is Vitamin E safe?
Vitamin E is generally well-tolerated when taken at research-supported doses. As with any supplement, individual responses vary. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before use, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition, or take medications. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.

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References

  1. Randomized comparison of 4 vitamin E formulations (800 IU/day, 10 days) in normal male subjects: RRR-alpha-tocopherol (natural) has 1.36x biopotency vs all-rac (synthetic); bioavailability of alpha-tocopherol not affected by co-presence of other tocopherols in mixed formulations; all groups significantly suppressed serum gamma-tocopherol vs baseline PubMed
  2. RCT, 58 subjects, 6 weeks: 500mg/day mixed tocopherols (60% gamma) caused 4-fold increase in serum and cellular gamma-tocopherol (P<0.001); alpha-tocopherol alone significantly decreased RBC gamma-tocopherol; demonstrates mixed tocopherols uniquely preserve the gamma-tocopherol pool unavailable with alpha-tocopherol-only supplements PubMed
  3. Double-blind RCT, 55 type 2 diabetes subjects: mixed tocopherols significantly reduced neutrophil leukotriene B4 (P=0.02) while alpha-tocopherol alone did not (P=0.15); neutrophil gamma-tocopherol increased with mixed supplementation but decreased with alpha-alone (P<0.005); demonstrates gamma-tocopherol-dependent anti-inflammatory benefit unique to mixed tocopherol formulation PubMed

FormulaForge formulates and sells supplements containing the ingredients discussed on this page. Our formulary recommendations are based on peer-reviewed bioavailability research. All cited studies are independently verifiable.