Vitamin E Acetate 400 mg Conversion to IU
400 mg of vitamin E acetate equals 889 IU of vitamin E.
Conversion Factors for Vitamin E
The conversion between milligrams (mg) and International Units (IU) for vitamin E depends on the form of vitamin E being used:
- For natural vitamin E (d-α-tocopherol): 1 IU = 0.67 mg 1
- For synthetic vitamin E (dl-α-tocopherol): 1 IU = 0.45 mg 1
- For vitamin E acetate (dl-α-tocopheryl acetate): 1 IU = 0.45 mg 1
Calculation for Vitamin E Acetate
To convert 400 mg of vitamin E acetate to IU:
- 400 mg ÷ 0.45 mg/IU = 889 IU 1
Clinical Considerations for Vitamin E Dosing
Recommended Daily Intake
- The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for adults is 15 mg/day (approximately 22 IU/day) 1
- For preterm infants receiving parenteral nutrition: 2.8-3.5 mg/kg/day, not exceeding 11 mg/day 2
- For children below 11 years receiving parenteral nutrition: ≤11 mg/day 2
Safety Considerations
- Doses ≤400 IU/day (180 mg/day) appear to have no effect on all-cause mortality 2
- High-dosage vitamin E supplementation (≥400 IU/day) may potentially increase all-cause mortality and should be used with caution 3
- The Tolerable Upper Limit for vitamin E is 1000 mg/day (approximately 1500 IU/day) of any form of supplementary α-tocopherol 2
Bioavailability Considerations
- The bioavailability ratio of natural to synthetic vitamin E is approximately 1.36:1 4
- In patients with normal lipid absorption, fat-soluble forms of vitamin E are generally preferable for therapeutic and prophylactic uses 5
- In cases of cholestasis and other forms of lipid malabsorption, water-miscible forms of vitamin E may be more appropriate 5
Assessment of Vitamin E Status
- For accurate assessment of vitamin E status, the ratio between serum vitamin E and total serum lipids should be used rather than absolute serum levels 2, 1
- Deficiency is indicated by a serum vitamin E/total lipid ratio <0.8 mg/g of total lipids 1
Special Populations
- Older adults may benefit from vitamin E supplementation at doses of approximately 200 IU/day (90 mg/day) to improve immune function 2
- Patients with cystic fibrosis can be efficiently supplemented with 400 IU/day of various vitamin E preparations to achieve normal plasma values 6
- Smokers may handle vitamin E differently than non-smokers, potentially affecting bioavailability 4
Remember that vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin, and excessive supplementation can lead to accumulation in the body. Always consider the total vitamin E intake from all sources, including diet, multivitamins, and specific supplements.