Vitamin E acts as antioxidants in our body to protect cells from harmful factors. Vitamin E deficiency is very rare, and if it occurs, doctors tend to prescribe the natural way to obtain it, which is through foods rich in vitamin E. There are also synthetic vitamin E in the form of supplements, but it comes with its own set of complications. Scientists have found no effects from overdosing on vitamin E through food and believe it is almost impossible to do so. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay However, studies show that a vitamin E overdose is more likely to occur through the consumption of vitamin E supplements. Therefore, it is arguable whether natural consumption of vitamin E is safer than taking supplements . Synthetic vitamin E is called “dl-alpha-tocopherol”. “Vitamin E in its natural, raw form is too strong to consume, so it is synthetically synthesized into pills with smaller doses that are safe for us to consume. However, vitamin E is a complex group of fat-soluble vitamins, so it is difficult to produce synthetically in a single artificial vitamin pill; we would not get the necessary amount of vitamin E through supplements. Studies show that it is better to consume more vitamin E through diet than through supplements vitamin E through food, as it is also able to control the amount of vitamin E needed by the body “Studies show that vitamin E contained in foods is absorbed 200-1500 times better than that coming from synthetically derived supplements” (“Why You Need Plant-Based Vitamin E,” 2018.) NIH reports that excessive consumption of vitamins in supplement form can cause serious side effects such as: increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke. For a pregnant woman, taking vitamin E supplements is harmful to the fetus. Vitamin E supplements also interfere with proper healing if a person has had surgery. Vitamin E supplements may also increase the risk of death for those with a history of heart attack. “The American Heart Association recommends taking antioxidants, including vitamin E, from a well-balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains rather than supplements until the risks and benefits of taking supplements are better understood” ( “Vitamin E”, 2018). “The federal government's 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans notes that “nutritional needs should be met primarily by foods.” Nutrient-rich foods contain essential vitamins and minerals, dietary fiber, and other naturally occurring substances that can have positive health effects” (“Vitamin E,” 2018). Overall, natural is the best and safest way to consume vitamins.