Exactly as listed on the label: Vitamin E (as dl-alpha tocopheryl acetate) — 25 mg (167% DV).
What it is
Vitamin E is a group of fat-soluble compounds that act as antioxidants in cell membranes. Prostacyl provides 25 mg as dl-alpha tocopheryl acetate, the synthetic form, which equals 167% of the Daily Value. Synthetic vitamin E is somewhat less active in the body than the natural (d-alpha) form, so the label amount and the amount your body uses are not quite the same.
Why formulas include it
Vitamin E supports the body's defense against oxidative stress and joins lycopene and grape seed in the formula's antioxidant group.
What the research says — honestly
The NIH Office of Dietary Supplements notes that large trials of high-dose vitamin E did not show a benefit for men's prostate health, and one large trial (SELECT) found a higher rate of prostate cancer in men who took 400 IU a day for several years. The amount in Prostacyl is far lower than those trial doses and well below the adult upper limit of 1,000 mg, but the takeaway is clear: more vitamin E is not better.
Safety notes
If you already take a multivitamin or a separate vitamin E supplement, add up your total. Vitamin E may increase bleeding risk with blood thinners.
Where it fits in Prostacyl
Vitamin E is one of nine ingredients in each two-capsule serving of Prostacyl. It works alongside saw palmetto, pygeum africanum, grape seed extract, pumpkin seed extract and the rest of the formula, rather than on its own. You can see how the groups connect on the ingredients overview.
Sources
- Vitamin E — Fact Sheet for Health ProfessionalsNIH Office of Dietary Supplements
