Are you vitamin E deficient? The fact is, some people need more vitamin E more than others. It is a scary situation as inadequate amounts of vitamin E can lead to vision problems, kidney and liver issues, muscle weakness, difficulty walking and diabetes.

Researchers at Oregon State University conducted a study that noted that people with metabolic syndrome may require much larger amounts of vitamin E than the general population. According to the International Diabetes Federation, about 25 percent of adults worldwide suffer from the condition which features a swath of distinguishing characteristics that include high blood pressure, spiking blood sugar, high triglycerides and obesity.

One of the primary reason for vitamin E deficiency is the Western diet and the excessive amount of processed foods we consume. Highly processed products often lack vitamin E, other micronutrients, healthy fats, and antioxidants that your body craves and needs. Another vitamin E intake issue has to do with fat content as it relates to Vitamin E absorption.

Fat-soluble vitamins like vitamin E require fat to be absorbed by our bodies. Consequently, people on low-fat diets may not consume enough to fat to adequately utilize the vitamin. Studies indicate that only 10 percent of vitamin E in a supplement is properly absorbed when dietary fat is not being consumed.

Here’s the kicker: people suffering from metabolic syndrome who are obese seem to be at higher risk of being vitamin E deficient. This occurs because the obese require greater amounts of vitamin E to counter their condition’s increased oxidative stress and because excessive body fat blocks the absorption of lipids that carry the vitamin to their tissues.

If you plan on beginning to take Vitamin E supplements, just remember that the synthetic version been shown, at high doses, to exert a toxic effect. So, try to buy all-natural (non-synthetic) vitamin E. And don’t forget, speak with your doctor before determining whether supplements are right for you.